"So, what's next?"
"I think it has to be the radar."
A standard radar transmits radio waves and detects the reflected waves that bounce back after hitting an object. In that sense, the magi-radar was different from a radar in its truest sense; its principle was passive, merely detecting the mana emitted by an object.
"What if you transmitted mana waves?"
"…No, most objects would probably just let them pass right through."
"I see…"
This was the exact problem that had been troubling Jin for the past few days. The waves used in manacams, known as free ether waves, tended to permeate through objects rather than reflect off them.
It was then that Reiko offered a suggestion. "Father, could you perhaps use the method I use to sense presences?"
"The method you use to sense presences…?" Jin took a moment to reconsider her various methods.
- Visual: Quickly scanning the surroundings for any suspicious entities.
- Auditory: Analyzing ambient sounds and investigating anything unusual in greater detail.
- Mana: Every being that possesses mana inevitably emits faint mana waves, or mental waves. She detects those.
- Air fluctuations: Using the wind-attribute magic Air Territory, she detects fluctuations too subtle to even be defined as sound.
- Ground vibrations: With her added tactile sense, she is able to analyze vibrations transmitted through the ground.
"Since we’ll be in space, visual detection is viable…"
In the unobstructed expanse of outer space, optical detection would be effective. Depending on the equipment, it could cover not just visible light, but also the infrared and ultraviolet spectrums, and even electromagnetic waves.
"Maybe it would work if we could measure the distribution or bias of the free ether… though that sounds difficult."
Jin recalled the words of No. 700672: "If you ever hit a dead end, feel free to visit me."
"…I suppose it’s all right to rely on him for this."
There was a limit to what he could achieve on his own. Having reached that conclusion, Jin decided to visit No. 700672 once more.
"I’ll be back by dinner," he told Elsa. Taking Reiko with him, he revisited No. 700672’s base, the White Room.
"Welcome, Jin-dono. From the look on your face, I see you are troubled." No. 700672 saw through him the moment they met.
"Yes. I’m having a lot of trouble with the object radar."
"Hmm. Indeed. Grasping the state of space is a profound subject. Moreover, when it comes to detecting obstacles while flying through the vacuum at high speeds, the available methods are limited." With that preamble, No. 700672 began his explanation. "Allow me to explain the method used by… my former master."
"Please do."
"You must scan space itself."
He had suddenly said something incredible.
"Scan… space? How?"
"By using mental waves… does that make sense to you?"
"…Ah!" It was the very idea Jin had just been considering: measuring the distribution and bias of free ether.
Seeing the look on Jin’s face, No. 700672 nodded with satisfaction. "It seems you have an inkling. Mental waves… in other words, you use a type of high-frequency mana wave."
"I see…"
With that much explained, Jin began to vaguely grasp what No. 700672 was trying to say.
"The automata you create all possess the same mana as you."
He explained that, depending on the approach, this meant it was possible to detect the free ether that filled the space. If matter existed, the distribution of free ether would not be uniform, making it possible to discern that an object was present. An object without mana would appear as a void, while an entity with high mana would be felt as a high density of magi.
"Since the range is so vast, a biological brain likely could not process it all, but an artificial brain should find it possible."
That was within the realm of what Jin could solve.
"A bit of ingenuity is required to use mental waves not to govern the free ether, but to grasp its existential density." No. 700672 then described the necessary magi-sequence for the magic control flow. "…And that is how it is done."
"I understand. Thank you very much."
With his concerns cleared away, Jin’s expression was bright and refreshed.
"I am glad to hear it. By the way, would you mind telling me what you have devised between the other day and now? If it is not too presumptuous, I would like to verify your designs."
This was exactly what Jin had hoped for. "Yes, of course. First, regarding physical attacks…"
Jin went on to explain the various pieces of equipment he had designed since their last meeting. No. 700672 listened intently to Jin’s explanation without interrupting.
"…And those are the emergency items that don't rely on magic. That’s all."
No. 700672 nodded deeply. "They are quite well thought out. Impressive. Especially the concept of not relying entirely on magic."
"You think so?"
"Yes. You will likely come to learn this soon, but the distribution of free ether in outer space is not constant. However, as far as I know, there were no locations where the concentration was so low that a Magi Machine would cease to function."
Those words provided a great sense of relief.
"Nevertheless, I believe there is great significance in having equipment that does not rely on magic."
"I think so too."
"Ah, one more thing regarding the removal of obstacles. Make sure to verify in advance whether simple destruction is sufficient."
"?…Yes, I understand."
Then, No. 700672 gave him one final piece of advice. "In outer space, there is nothing to block the light. Even sunlight can become a deadly weapon to a living body. Ensure you have sufficient light-shielding."
"Thank you."
Since he was about to begin various tests on the spacesuits, he was grateful for such advice.
＊ ＊ ＊
Upon returning to his laboratory on Hourai Island, Jin immediately set to work on crafting a Magi Machine to map the distribution of free ether. Since he understood the principle, it didn’t take long.
That said, by the time it reached six in the evening, Reiko subtly hinted that it was time for dinner, so Jin ended his work for the day. He had dinner at the house where Elsa was waiting.
The meal consisted of white rice, agedashi tofu, simmered itopo, salt-grilled omasou—a fish similar to landlocked salmon caught in the Erme River near Kaina Village—and miso soup with topopo and marunegi.
"This miso soup is delicious." The strength of the flavor was exactly to Jin’s liking, and the broth was excellent.
"I’m glad." Elsa also felt relieved, seeing that the grimness had vanished from Jin’s face upon his return from No. 700672’s.
"I’m really glad I went." Jin explained that he’d had a productive visit, which cleared away the source of Elsa’s worries as well. "Next is testing to find out what’s most appropriate."
The tea for the day was brown rice tea. As he sipped the tea, which had cooled to the perfect drinking temperature, Jin spoke of his plans.
"Testing the spacesuits, the shape of the barriers, and field tests for things like the reconnaissance craft."
"With the ten-meter class prototype spaceship, right?"
"Yeah, of course."
While it would be led by Laojun, Jin intended to follow every step of the process.
"Development is finally in its final stages."
The face Jin made as he muttered those words was bright, unlike the day before, which made Elsa smile in turn.
"I’m looking forward to tomorrow," Elsa said aloud. To be honest, she was interested in space as well. Her true feeling was that she wanted to go if safety could be guaranteed.
"Me too. I’m going to take every possible safety precaution."
"Mm."
Looking out the window, the moon was shining in the darkness.
"I want to explore there first."
"…Are you worried about the people of the Leonard Kingdom?"
"…Yeah."
When he had visited the ruins of the Former Leonard Kingdom’s capital with Hanna, he had been bothered by their fate, as told by the Messenger left behind at the site. In their extreme fear of magical consumption fever, they had supposedly used a mysterious teleportation magic circle to evacuate somewhere.
There was a high possibility that their destination was the moon, which meant there was a high probability that the people of the Leonard Kingdom had been wiped out on the vacuum of the lunar surface. Jin had always wanted to put those doubts to rest.