Shuuki, his senior disciples, and Adriana worked together to analyze the magic circle.
A month later, they finally grasped the essential principles of teleportation.
"I see. So this magi-formula is what bridges space."
"Does linking two points require precise synchronization?"
"No, it seems that as long as the receiving side is clearly designated, it works. A magic circle is designed to operate independently, after all."
"But Papa, it consumes a massive amount of mana, doesn't it?"
"It does, Ado. Using the magic circle to amplify the mana is our workaround for that."
"Couldn't we just use a mana tank here?"
Collaborating as a team, they continued to refine their new technology.
The result of their labor was...
"Perfect. This Warp Gate is durable enough for practical use!"
"Master, you did it!"
The Warp Gate previously developed in Mitsuho had been far too unstable; they couldn't have sent a human through it with any peace of mind.
But this one was different. Even so, Shuuki knew they needed to conduct exhaustive testing.
"I want to start with short-distance tests. It's too dangerous for people, so..."
"That's exactly what Golems are for!"
The Golem Adriana had built in the town of Yurugano had been transported with them to Karnag.
"Wake up."
Responding to the keyword, the Golem rose to its feet.
"Good. Enter that Magi Machine."
Since it lacked a vocalization device, Adriana's Golem simply raised its right hand in acknowledgment before walking into the Warp Gate.
"Stand still right there."
The Golem stopped exactly where Adriana instructed.
"Alright, Warp Gate, activate!"
At Shuuki’s command, Tempest—one of the senior disciples—connected the mana supply to the Warp Gate.
"Oh!?"
The faint glow of a magic circle shimmered into existence within the Warp Gate. An instant later, the light vanished, and the Golem was gone.
"Teacher! The Golem appeared over here!"
The Golem had manifested inside the receiving Warp Gate installed right next to the first one.
"A success!"
The experiments continued, with the distance between the two Warp Gates gradually increasing.
"This is incredible!"
Ultimately, they successfully confirmed a teleportation to the neighboring town.
Compared to their previous prototype, the time required for activation was significantly shorter, and there were no longer any restrictions on the size or type of objects that could be sent.
Furthermore, it could be produced at one-third the size and one-tenth the cost of the earlier model.
It was, in every sense, the perfected version.
Shuuki hoped that one day he could replace the Warp Gate in Mitsuho with this superior model.
That task, however, would be fulfilled in the distant future by his beloved daughter.
＊ ＊ ＊
"Magus! You have done a magnificent job!"
The news of the Warp Gate’s completion reached the King, and Shuuki’s group was summoned to receive his praise.
"This technology will revolutionize the kingdom... no, the entire continent."
It was incomparable to traveling by horse, carriage, or on foot. Travel time was effectively reduced to zero, and as long as mana was supplied, the gates could operate indefinitely.
Shuuki and his team had already performed safety checks using themselves as test subjects.
"It will also bring a revolution to the transport of food, supplies, and materials."
The King was in an excellent mood.
"I shall name you a Special Honorary State Guest."
He offered to elevate Shuuki’s already exceptional status even further.
However, Shuuki politely declined.
"No, I must respectfully pass on that honor. I am still only halfway through my journey; I wish to dedicate myself further to spreading the knowledge of magi-craft to the world."
"Hmm, I thought you might say that. But if that is your goal, then you have all the more reason to accept."
The Chancellor, standing beside the King, took over the explanation.
"Lord Shuuki, as a Special Honorary State Guest, you will be treated with the same respect as high-ranking nobility no matter where you travel in this kingdom. Would that not be beneficial to your mission?"
He had a point. If he intended to travel across the Leonard Kingdom to spread magi-craft, having his status recognized without tedious paperwork would be invaluable.
"...I understand. I gratefully accept the title."
Thus, Shuuki Tsetse became a Special Honorary State Guest of the Leonard Kingdom.
"Papa, what are we doing?"
On a day when lectures were on hiatus, Shuuki had brought Adriana out to the outskirts of Karnag.
"I have a favor to ask of you today, Ado."
"Eh? What is it? I'll do anything!"
Adriana was practically bursting with enthusiasm.
"I want you to build something like what's in this drawing."
Shuuki handed a sheet of parchment to her.
"Hmm, what an interesting building. Does it need to be small?"
"Yes. This part in the back is called a 'hokora.' It only needs to be a little over a meter tall."
The materials had been brought to the site ahead of time.
"Alright, I'm going to give it my all!"
By this point, Adriana had already become a magi craftsman whose skills surpassed those of even the senior disciples.
"Let's see... I'll use Shaping to form the stone, then join the pieces with Fusion..."
"Yeah, that looks perfect."
"Hey, Papa, what are these animal statues?" Adriana asked while performing Forming.
"Those are called 'komainu'... though I wonder if they're still called that when they're foxes? Well, the point is they're like gatekeepers."
"I see, so they're gatekeepers... Forming."
The hokora, the komainu (?), and a torii were soon completed.
"What an interesting shape for a gate. Toughening."
"Excellent work. Thank you, Ado."
Shuuki thanked her and patted her on the head.
"Hey, we put a door on it, so are we going to put something inside?"
Since it was a hokora, it featured a door to house a sacred object.
"Yes. This."
Shuuki produced a small statue of a fox.
"Oh? Is that a komainu too?"
"In spirit, though the shape is a fox. Have a look."
Shuuki handed the statue to Adriana.
"Wait... is this a magi-crystal?"
"It is. Try to use Read on it."
"Okay. Read."
A magic circle shimmered into view, and countless characters began to scroll past before vanishing.
"Is this... a record?"
"That's right. It's a diary of sorts, covering everything up to today. I intend to seal it here so that if someone from my homeland—or a magi with your level of skill—comes along, they will be able to read it."
"Hmm..."
Shuuki opened the door of the hokora and enshrined the fox statue inside. After closing the door, he turned back to her.
"Ado, would you mind setting the seal?"
"Yeah, leave it to me!"
The seal was a barrier—one designed to prevent any solid object from passing through. The magi-stone required for the barrier was already set into the door of the hokora.
"There. Now, no one below a certain level of magical skill should be able to remove it."
Even Shuuki himself could no longer retrieve it.
"I hope that one day, someone who takes an interest in this shrine will find the records inside and pass them on to the next generation."
The records contained far more than just a diary; they were packed with information regarding magi-craft.
"Papa, I bet that 'someone' will be a person just like you."
Beside Shuuki, who stood with his gaze fixed on the distant horizon, Adriana laughed innocently.
Magi-craft was about to enter a new era of development.