＜ mutual aid (1) ＞
End “… that’s how it happened.”
A voice full of shudders. Narsha explained the situation that had just happened in accordance with the five-wh principle. He explained step by step the misunderstanding that was embarrassing to even mention.
I wondered if my personality changed because I was fascinated by Yerina without my knowledge, but it didn’t seem like that.
“They are good at it.”
Catherine, the owner of the mage tower, crossed her arms as if she was dumbfounded. Her rebuke wasn’t just directed at Narsha. He looked around at the two groups of researchers lined up on one side of the lab and said.
“Are you a second-year resident? Or are you a first-year freshman? Why do people you know do things against the rules?”
“”sorry······””
The researchers bowed their heads in unison.
The trick they planned today was against the rules of the Mage Tower. Not only that, but the imperial law was also violated.
It was a serious criminal act that could be punished by the Ministry of Magic as well as discipline within the Mage Tower.
Catherine glared at the researchers through her axe eyes.
“This will never go unnoticed. It will be reflected in your performance unconditionally, a disciplinary committee will be opened and heavy punishment will be given, and after an executive meeting, it will be handed over to the Ministry of Magic. Okay?”
“”yes······””
A gloom as if the whole world had been lost.
Looking at the atmosphere, it seemed like the funeral home was going away, but in reality it wasn’t. I’m sure Catherine won’t do anything. Let alone handing it over to the Ministry of Magic, there will be no disciplinary committee.
It’s the Mage’s custom to turn a blind eye to a certain level of violation of the rules.
In particular, it was no different from a long tradition of the Mage Tower for researchers to participate as test subjects.
There is even a saying, ‘Those who have not undergone human experiments cannot be called true researchers.’
I tried to let it go this time too, but I, an outsider, was caught in the wind, so I had no choice but to be intimidated.
“Could you try just one more time? Do you think everyone will be expelled?”
Katherine, who was outraged, turned her head toward me. He put his hands together as if he was sorry.
“Sorry, professor. I just want to show you my good side.”
I laughed lightly.
“no. It could be.”
“I am grateful that you understand. Then I’ll just leave.”
Catherine left the lab with a shy smile. I looked at her and turned my head. Researchers were still maintaining their ranks. He kept his head down as if he had no face.
Anyone who sees it will know that I’ve been scolded.
“·······”
A laboratory with awkward silence.
I spoke first.
“I guess you needed a test subject.”
Then the researchers raised their heads one by one. A few nodded cautiously, but Narsha stared at the floor all the way. It looked shameful.
“Looks like it’s an experiment related to magic exhaustion, but I’ll do it.”
“Yes?”
the researchers reflexively asked. Only then did Narsha raise her head. He looked at me with wide-eyed eyes as if wondering.
I didn’t care and continued.
“I will do the experiment. You don’t need any special conditions, do you? Are you sure that the gender is female, or that the archmage candidates are not eligible?”
“Yeah… well, it’s like that.”
A researcher wearing a robe with ‘Meriel’ written on it said. Blue eyes that sparkled like crystals in jet-black short hair. A so-called dog dealer, she had a pretty cute impression.
“You’ll need to consume your mana to do that, will you be okay?”
“It doesn’t matter. I just finished my guarding schedule, so it’s already exhausted.”
The manifestation of [Expedium] and [Rising Sun] consumed quite a bit of mana. Furthermore, fatigue was clearly felt in the aftermath of the talent characteristic 「Sensitive Five Senses」.
It wasn’t bad to help the team members who were going to collaborate for a few weeks, to recharge their mana, and to be a test subject.
“Then we are grateful.”
Meriel smiled shyly. I looked at him shyly, avoiding his gaze.
“Help me with the magic, help me with the experiments. I’m sorry, what should I do?”
“it’s okay.”
I answered briefly.
Then he looked around at the researchers and said.
“Then, let’s stop reflecting and continue the experiment.”
“”yes!””
Then, the researchers revealed their true colors as if they had never done that.
The gloom that had permeated the laboratory disappeared in an instant, and lively energy radiated from everywhere. They moved to their respective locations in an orderly manner and prepared for the experiment.
The music box guided me to my seat.
“You can sit here.”
It was an ordinary lab desk. Before long, Meriel came with a magic meter inside her body. As you can see, it was an older model. He said as he put the equipment on his forearm.
“Leonard! Let me help you measure mana.”
A clear eye smile and a more friendly voice than necessary.
And… the forearm that is still holding on even after the equipment setting is finished.
Meriel stuck close to her like a puppy following her owner.
It was a kind of kindness that I was used to but did not adapt to.
No, it was more than kindness. To be precise, it would be selfish.
Weiying-
Meriel activated the magic meter inside her body.
“The experiment is simple. It is an experiment to first measure the amount of remaining mana in the body, then eat food to restore mana, and then measure the remaining mana again to see how much it has recovered.”
In short, all I had to do was eat recovery food. It was a simpler experiment than expected. The mana measurement also ended in an instant.
T-dik-
Along with a hard beep, numbers were displayed on the screen.
[ 74% ]
74% out of 100%.
After checking the numbers, Meriel opened her eyes wide like a rabbit. Looking at the screen with me, he said.
“Huh… The amount of magical energy in the body is 74%. You really used up a lot of mana.”
“yes. I have some work.”
I passed it like nothing happened. But inside, it was quite embarrassing.
74% cotton is a quarter.
[Expedium] has maximized its efficiency, so there is no way to consume a lot of mana, and if so, the cause is [Rising Sun]…
Perhaps it was because there were no class attributes related to offensive magic, but the proficiency did not increase as quickly as defensive magic. It seemed that the polishing time should be increased.
“Is there food yet?”
“I’m going~”
At Meriel’s urging, a researcher with a tray on her head, like an aunt at a restaurant, often walked closer.
Tritan apple, pills made with Mercury sap, red seaweed, etc. All of them were known to be good for mana recovery.
“First, let’s start with the circle.”
Meriel pointed to the ring. I tried to open the package and feed him, but he refused.
“I will eat.”
“Ah, yes.”
I took the pill and put it in my mouth. A strong, concentrated herbal taste. It was so bitter that it burned my tongue, but I swallowed it without expressing it.
gulp-
Could this also be the aftermath of the “sensitive five senses”? It was subtle, but I felt that my mana was replenished.
“I ate them all.”
“yes! Wait.”
Meriel tried to re-measure. However, only a wheezing sound was heard, and no numbers appeared on the screen. It was just a whirlwind that meant loading.
Meriel bit her lower lip as if embarrassed.
“What should I do… this is like this again…”
“Again? Let’s change some machines.”
Several researchers came over and inspected the machine. I’ve tried resetting the settings, and I’ve tried hitting it, but nothing has changed. It was still fed up.
“What?”
“Iknow, right? Shall we turn the power off and back on?”
“They say that a machine needs to be hit to come to its senses, but why don’t you beat it more clearly?”
While the researchers made various diagnoses, Meriel tilted her head and asked. Like puppy ears, the medium-length hair hung limply.
“I have a question, what kind of bodyguards did you come here for?”
“I was the wedding guard for Karios and Jeniel.”
“Oh right. was that today? Hehe, I forgot because I was busy. Are you really close with Karios-sama?”
“yes.”
“Then, when will Leonard get married? Do you have a girlfriend?”
A question thrown indifferently.
I answered without thinking.
“There is not.”
“Ah, that’s right.”
Then, Meriel smiled and brushed the side of her hair. It was a somewhat satisfied look.
“By the way, what about the ring effect? Are you feeling a little better?”
“It seems fine.”
“thank god. I was worried about the low body mana. On a scale of 1 to 100, how much do you think you have recovered?”
“If I had to figure it out, maybe 0.5%?”
I can’t explain it, but I felt it intuitively.
0.5%.
He seemed to have just recovered that much.
It was a serious answer, but Meriel smiled broadly at my words. The corners of her eyes drew an arc, and she shyly covered her mouth with her hand.
“What is that? Totally funny. It’s not a machine, how could Leonard-sama do that-“
It was then.
T-dik-
Along with a hard notification sound, the amount of mana in the body was displayed on the screen. At the same time, the expressions of the researchers who were examining the machine hardened. He groaned blankly with wide-eyed eyes.
“ah······”
The atmosphere subsided in an instant.
Meriel and I also turned our heads toward the mana meter. The numbers displayed on the screen were truly shocking.
[ 74.5% ]
74% to 74.5%.
It was an increase in mana by exactly 0.5%.
Meriel couldn’t laugh any longer. His eye smile, which had been bright like the sunlight, opened wide like the moon, and he muttered quietly with a dull face.
“Really 0.5% yes… I thought it was a joke…”
At the same time, the researchers also began to gossip.
“Wow… it’s really great.”
“How did you figure that out?”
“Isn’t that a circus?”
“I guess you’re not a candidate for the Archmage for nothing.”
All eyes focused at once. A look of wonder in it.
It was very burdensome.
I didn’t know it would fit so well.
At that time, when everyone was dumbfounded, the music box quietly handed over the Tritan Apple.
“I… Leonard-sama.”
He asked in a very serious tone.
“How many percentages will it rise this time?”
At her words, the researchers gulped. As if watching a mysterious show, as if watching a dangerous circus, he stared at me with a lot of cringe.
＊＊＊
“I’ll just go.”
“thank you for your effort!”
“You did a great job!”
“Goodbye!”
After the magic recovery experiment was over, Leonard left the lab.
His total recovery is 3%.
For reference, all of Leonard’s self-measurements were correct. It was a truly wonderful ability.
The music box said while washing the dishes that contained the recovery food.
“Professor Leonard, isn’t it really great? How did you get it all right?”
“I know.”
Narsha replied calmly.
She didn’t show it, but she was also very surprised inside. No matter how talented I was, I didn’t know that I would have talent in that direction. After all, the world of masters is endless.
“Besides, it’s not enough to help with the magic part, so please visit us as soon as the schedule is over and participate in the experiment yourself. You seem like a really nice person.”
“I know.”
“Um… But, how come everything has to do with you?”
Narsha, who was wiping the water from the plate handed over by the music box, shook her shoulders. I was stabbed alone and stuttered.
“What, what?”
The music box smirked and raised its eyebrows.
“Why is that? You were the one who invited Leonard, and you participated in the experiment instead of you. Isn’t this… you like it?”
“Me, me…?”
Narsha reflexively frowned.
When I heard it, it wasn’t so much nonsense. Compared to the other groups, they were the last to try recruiting, and even the 6th group was marketing blatantly targeting Leonard—a healing magic to assist defense wizards—but why did they choose our group?
Besides, he voluntarily participated in the experiment that I should have done.
Is this…
“no. never.”
After thinking for a while, Narsha shook her head resolutely.
Leonard can’t do that. It’s because he’s a very outgoing personality. If you put it badly, your talent, if you put it well, your manners are ingrained in your body, so the music box was mistaken.
Of course, it seems that things have changed a little since this year, but can a person’s personality change so easily?
It must have been an implicit manner. Because he is a player who is very attracted to women.
So, I won’t be mistaken for that manner anymore. I won’t be alone, excited, and disappointed alone again.
“Stop talking nonsense, wipe your hands. Because there is still work to be done.”
After Narsha wiped the water from her hands, she headed towards the crew.
The music box also wiped its hands and followed her.
“Yes, yes. I understand, chief.”
While the rock-paper-scissors losers, Narsha and the music box, were cleaning up, the rest of the crew was chatting in groups of two or three. As I got closer, I heard it.
“Professor Leonard was really handsome.”
“So. The skin is perfect, and the bridge of the nose is just big…”
“You can see more great hits in the future.”
It was about Leonard. Members of the group were excited like girls watching a celebrity. That would also be the case, because, aside from Narsha, there was no point of contact with Leonard.
“Oh yeah······”
Narsha smiled lightly. Why is everyone so fussed about what he likes? He is just the lord of an aristocratic family who is handsome, capable, highly honored, and rich.
He was handsome, but not to the point of making a fuss.
······Anyway, it was like that.
Narsha said quietly among the members of the group.
“Let’s stop chatting and share roles.”
“”yes~””
Team 2 has a total of 10 people.
It seemed appropriate to divide it into 5 magic development team, 3 data research team, 1 research material team, and 1 magic team. When the division of roles was explained, all members agreed.
Meriel said.
“It seems like one member of the research material team is a bit busy, but it can’t be helped because there are more development and investigations in terms of quantity. So, how do we decide the order of role selection?”
“Let’s decide with rock-paper-scissors, just like before.”
The music box raised a corner of its mouth and said. Then, everyone put a strange smile on their lips.
“like.”
“Me too.”
“That’s fairest.”
That’s how Rock Paper Scissors started.
The last place was decided from the first round.
“Rock Paper Scissors!”
Narsha had scissors, and the rest of the crew stayed.
Everyone realized that Narsha only used scissors. As always, Narsha covered her face with both hands and despaired. I lost with the scissors just a few minutes ago, but to throw away the scissors again. Are you a real idiot?
“ah······”
Either that or not, the crew’s rock-paper-scissors continued.
“Rock Paper Scissors!”
“Rock Paper Scissors!”
“Rock Paper Scissors!”
After several iterations, everyone’s order was set. First place was Meriel. She jumped in place, delighted, and spoke without hesitation.
“I’ll do the drinking part!”
The faces of the members of the crew, whom I had hoped for, became sullen for an instant. If it’s a magic part team, it’s a chance to collaborate with Leonard alone. It was an opportunity that everyone except Narsha had been aiming for. Maybe you can make friends with him.
Narsha stared blankly at Meriel.
“······”
I saw earlier that he was very angry with Leonard.
Just by looking at you, you seemed interested.
Well… It was a little nerve-wracking, but Narsha didn’t care. At least I didn’t express it.
It’s none of my business whether the two of you collaborate or date.
“I am the magic development team.”
“Me too.”
“I want to research the data.”
The members of the crew quickly took over their roles, and Narsha’s turn came soon after. Because she was in last place, she had no choice. The only thing left is the most difficult, even the role that I have to take on alone.
Narsha said calmly.
“Then I’ll take over the medicinal materials team.”
Still, I was able to work alone, so I didn’t hate it.
＊＊＊
next day.
After polishing Rising Sun, I left the Adonis Hall. I had finished taking a shower, so my whole body was soft. My whole body was tired, probably because I washed it with warm water, and I felt a little tired because my mana was pretty exhausted, but I can’t be lazy.
I headed straight to the office. As usual, I looked at the crystal ball text history.
─Incoming Box─
[ Catherine: Thank you for participating in the project. Guide the laboratory to the end of the wedding ceremony… ]
[Regilos: Don’t touch the real Yerina; ]
[ Rainan: There will be no lectures this semester, Professor! Then I might go on vacation…]
[ Meriel: I’m contacting you for collaboration on the sorcery part! When is a good time? ]
Even today, Yerina was silent. It’s been a few days already, but they haven’t told me the medicines I need. I haven’t even been to work since yesterday. The boss’s disease seemed to be quite severe.
“Hmm······”
“Second Attack of Luca Delos” to be held in January next year.
There was still about four months, but considering the rarity of illegal medicinal herbs, it wasn’t all that leisurely. I couldn’t wait like this.
A total of 5 special potions are required.
Among them, I already know the ingredients needed for pain relief potion and magic power boost potion. It was because Yerina told me when I stopped the first raid.
I’ll have to get that one out first.
“What exactly was your name…”
It was the time when I was searching my desk to find a memo that recorded the name of the medicine.
Geeing-
The crystal ball emitted a purple light. A new message had arrived.
[Narsha: Group text message/ The final report on project team 2 role assignments will be conducted as follows. If there is any error, please reply by midnight today.
– Spell Team: Leonard, Meriel
-Magic Invention Team: Kelly, Chafien…
-Data Research Team: Music Box, Lalina…
-Medicinal Material Team: Narsha.
That is all. ]
It was a message about project role assignment. I skimmed through it carelessly.
“·······”
I thought I would be in charge of the magic part, but unexpectedly, another researcher joined. It was natural for magic invention to have 5 of the most important partners, and since the amount of data research was so vast, about 3 were needed, and Narsha was also alone.
More than that, the medicinal material team?
“…?”
If you are a healing class, you will need medicinal materials just like you would if you were in a pharmacy class. Furthermore, if it was a large-scale project carried out in the Mage Tower, you could buy pretty much any medicinal material. Even if it’s an illegal drug.
It’s the rule of the Magic Tower to turn a blind eye to a certain level.
······Suddenly, I had a good idea.
I sent a reply to Narsha.
[It must be difficult to handle the medicinal materials alone. ]
[ Let’s do it together. I will help you. ]