Hourai Island was a hive of activity as the days passed in the wake of the battle.
Fifty Smith units were dispatched to the mobile base under the guise of repairing its damage. In the process of these repairs, they were, of course, instructed to research the technology within. Laojun then organized the data they gathered, filtering and summarizing what was worth learning and what was not.
Jin personally oversaw the re-equipment of Onogoro Island, working alongside Marikka. Without her presence, the island's Supervising Brain would not allow anyone to lay a hand on its systems.
"Supervising Brain, it's a bit difficult to keep calling you that. May I give you a name?" Marikka asked one day.
〈Yes, of course.〉
"I'm glad. In that case... I'll call you Testa from now on."
〈Understood. From this moment forth, I shall identify as Testa.〉
Jin later learned from Sion that Testa meant "head."
With Testa's permission and Helente's cooperation, they also began remodeling the residential facilities.
"This should make things much more comfortable."
"Mhm! Just as expected of you, Jin!"
Sion had also come to assist Marikka, lending her expertise to help renovate the area in the style of the All-Creation clan.
"Now we just need to stop the free ether condensation, but that's proving to be a challenge..."
After returning to Hourai Island via the built-in Warp Gate through Shinkai, Jin sat down for a consultation with Laojun and Elsa.
"That is true, My Lord," Laojun replied. "If we were to suddenly increase the concentration of free ether, many people would likely develop Acute Mana Overload Syndrome."
"Exactly."
Acute Mana Overload Syndrome. Magi convert free ether into mana on a cellular level to obtain the energy required to manifest magical phenomena. This conversion rate is constant for each individual and does not change rapidly. While training or natural growth can increase the rate, such changes are always gradual.
If a magus were suddenly exposed to highly concentrated free ether, the results would be disastrous. Because the conversion rate remains the same, doubling the concentration of free ether would double the amount of mana generated. However, since the amount of mana actually consumed remains the same, it creates a surplus. This excess mana can be destabilized by the slightest stimulus, turning into uncontrolled magical energy that ravages the body from within.
One might compare it to acute diabetes, or perhaps oxygen toxicity—exposure to slightly more oxygen is fine, but too much causes the body to exhaust its energy in an instant.
As the saying goes, too much is as bad as too little.
"We'll have to think in terms of centuries, not just years," Jin muttered.
"There is also the option of leaving things exactly as they are," Laojun suggested.
"But what about the free ether being collected? Where would it go?"
"It does not need to go anywhere. As long as the distribution remains consistent with current levels, we can simply vent the unconsumed excess back into space."
Jin thought for a moment, then realized what Laojun was implying. "I see. So we just maintain the status quo?"
"Yes. Since the local wildlife and vegetation have already adapted to these conditions, reverting the distribution would likely cause a massive ecological collapse."
"I suppose you're right..."
Jin's mind immediately went to the possibility of violent magical beasts and monsters migrating south. Such a shift would likely drive ordinary animals to extinction.
"Furthermore," Laojun added, "if we stockpile the ether instead of just returning it to space, it might prove useful in the future."
"True enough."
There were plenty of storage options: mana tanks, mana bombes, and mana cells. Storing energy for a rainy day was never a bad idea.
"Lastly, we should probably inform No. 700672 about all of this."
"I've been thinking the same thing. I'll head over once things have calmed down here."
The following day, Jin visited No. 700672 as planned and provided a detailed report on the recent events.
"...And that's the situation," Jin concluded.
"Hmm. A most fascinating tale."
No. 700672 had listened in silence until the very end before offering Jin his praise. "You have done well, Jin-dono."
He then shared his own perspective. "It seems my master did indeed belong to the independent faction."
According to him, the Origin Clan—the Progenitors—had split into the remaining faction and the migration faction. The remaining faction further divided into the Return to Nature faction and the reclusive faction. Meanwhile, the migration faction split into the radical faction and the moderate faction.
The radical faction was composed of the invasion faction and the pioneer faction, while the moderate faction consisted of the coexistence faction, the Fusion faction, and the independent faction.
Just as Jin had theorized, the group that had migrated to the demon territory and became the ancestors of the demon race was the independent faction.
"Does the first digit of your identification, the '7' in 700672, represent one of those classifications?" Jin asked, voicing a sudden thought.
"No, I have heard nothing of the sort, but the possibility is certainly there." Even No. 700672 had not been privy to that information. "The 600012 whom Jin-dono met previously—those starting with '6'—may well have belonged to the pioneer faction."
However, he could not say for certain.
"Would it be possible for you to bring this 'Marikka' to see me next time?"
"Yes, I can do that."
It was clear that the existence of someone who so strongly inherited the traits of the Masters was of great interest to him.
"As for your decision not to interfere with the free ether distribution, I believe it is a wise one."
"You think so?"
"It is best not to throw a biosphere that has stabilized over tens of thousands of years back into chaos."
"I agree." Jin felt a wave of relief at the confirmation.
"Still, Onogoro Island... It is surprising to find someone else who knows of the Masters who remodeled this world."
"Is that so?"
"Indeed." Though No. 700672 had been created on Hale, he had been inside a culture tank at the time, leaving him almost entirely ignorant of the planet. Consequently, he felt a small, lingering desire to know more about it. "I did not expect to harbor such emotions."
Jin nodded sympathetically. "It's the land of your ancestors, isn't it? It's only natural to want to know where you come from."
No. 700672 smiled at the words. "Thank you, Jin-dono."
"It's nothing."
"...Now then." No. 700672 shifted the topic. "Regarding that mobile base—what do you intend to do with it?"
"I'm planning to leave it be for the time being. There's no point in being hasty."
"Quite right."
Jin decided this was the right moment to consult him on a matter he had been considering for a while. "There is something else I'd like to ask your advice on."
"I am listening."
"Actually..."
Jin began to speak, choosing his words carefully.