"Hmm, so you wish to know the composition of this metal?"
"Yes, please."
A section of the skeleton removed from the golem currently under analysis lay on the table before Lordtoss.
"...Analyze."
(Impressive.)
Jin watched the flow of magical energy using his Trace System and was quietly moved by the man's skill.
"Hmph. The additive you're interested in is likely vanadium. It has been added at a concentration of approximately 0.1 percent."
"Vanadium, you say?"
"Correct....Extraction... Here, look at this."
Lordtoss applied Extraction to the sample, pulling out a single gram of metallic vanadium to show them. Raig Armor stared intently at the silver-gray metal.
"So this is vanadium. To think such a small amount could have such a profound effect..."
"Indeed. If I recall correctly, it has the effect of refining the metallic crystal structure, which increases the material's toughness."
Jin realized that Lordtoss possessed an exceptionally deep understanding of science.
"Analyze... Hmm..."
Raig performed Analyze on the vanadium several times, committing its properties and magical signature to memory.
"Thank you very much. It's getting late, so we should take our leave for today."
The time was nearly 21:00. The workday for Jin and the others was officially over.
"Yes, come again. And Jin-kun, I'll be sure to treat you to tea next time as well."
"Thank you, I look forward to it."
With that, Jin and Raig took their leave.
"...He's an incredible person. And younger than I expected."
"Isn't he? Though, there are rumors that he's actually much older than he looks."
On the way back to the research wing, Jin and Raig continued to discuss Lordtoss.
＊ ＊ ＊
Back in his room, Jin took a moment to reflect on the hectic day.
"This morning I was in the Mercana Principality, then I came to the Jagus Principality. After that, golem analysis, and then meeting Lordtoss..."
As he replayed the image of Lordtoss in his mind, it finally clicked.
"That silver hair and those light blue eyes... Right, he looks like Sion."
Sion of All-Creation. Currently, her people were known as the Northern People, but she was a girl from the group called the demon race whom Jin had met during his early days in this world.
"Maybe he's one of her descendants..."
Sion was supposed to have taken Belialus from the Puppet Clan as her husband. As far as Jin knew, the wedding hadn't happened yet, but it was the expected path. If that were the case, it wouldn't be strange for the two clans to eventually merge, resulting in Sion's distinctive features appearing within the Puppet Clan lineage.
"And then there's that automata..."
The unit was clearly an Adriana-style design. He found himself speculating on various connections to Avalon.
"Still, I didn't expect him to be under house arrest."
He could understand why the country refused to let such a talent go. However, if the man truly was from the Puppet Clan, a simple state of house arrest shouldn't have been enough to hold him back—neither magically nor physically.
Then again, perhaps he was simply biding his time, much like Jin was.
"I'd like to have a slow, quiet talk with him next time."
Because Raig Armor had been present, Jin hadn't felt comfortable bringing up the word "Puppet." As it turned out, the opportunity to speak freely arrived much sooner than he anticipated.
＊ ＊ ＊
The following day, while Jin was working with his colleagues in the analysis unit, a messenger arrived.
"Is there someone named Jin here?"
"Yes, that's me."
"Ah, good. Lordtoss wishes to ask you a few questions. You are to visit him immediately."
"Oh...?"
Raig turned to the surprised Jin and gave him a nod.
"Go ahead, Jin. Whenever a newcomer joins the staff, Lordtoss likes to speak with them one-on-one. It's his way."
"Understood."
Jin accepted a one-time permit from the messenger.
"Well then, I'm off," he told his unit members before leaving the laboratory.
Having made the trip the night before, he knew the way well. In any case, it was impossible to lose sight of that massive tower. Jin showed his permit to the two soldiers at the entrance—different men from the previous night, likely on a new shift—and stepped inside. He climbed the stairs, presented his permit again, and was finally granted entry to the inner chambers.
"Ah, thank you for coming."
Lordtoss welcomed Jin with a pleasant smile.
"Shall we have the same sencha as last night?"
"Yes, please."
Just like the night before, the automata brewed the tea for them. After taking a sip, Lordtoss began to speak slowly.
"Now then, as you may have heard, I make it a point to invite every newcomer here for a chat."
He added with a slightly self-deprecating tone that it was partly because he was unable to leave the tower.
"You said your name was Jin-kun. What is your surname?"
"My surname...?"
Jin was momentarily taken aback. In this world of Ars, people usually referred to a family name as a "clan name" or simply a "family name." Almost no one used the specific term for a Japanese-style surname.
"It's Nidou. Jin Nidou."
He might have introduced himself as Jin Nidou at some point, but since arriving in this region, he had generally only gone by Jin.
"Nidou!...Nidou Jin? Is it truly you?!"
"...Eh?"
"[Do... you understand these words?]"
"Japanese...?"
The words Lordtoss spoke were somewhat hesitant and faltering, but they were unmistakably Japanese.
"[Of course I do. It is my mother tongue.]"
Jin responded in Japanese as well.
"[I see! Just as I thought. This is a relief. From now on, let us speak in Japanese as much as possible. This room may be under surveillance.]"
"[Understood.]"
Jin nodded. There were likely only a handful of people in this entire world who knew that language. Taking advantage of the shift, Jin asked:
"[Are you indeed from the Puppet Clan?]"
"[Oh! That is correct. From whom did you hear that?]"
"[From a man named Groma Tray. He said he was a disciple of yours, Lordtoss-san.]"
"[Ah, Groma Tray. That is a nostalgic name indeed.]"
He paused there, staring intently at Jin's face.
"[I believe you are likely the person I have been searching for. To be certain, however, please allow me to ask a few questions.]"
"[Go ahead.]"
"[How much do you know about Avalon?]"
"[Avalon is a massive artificial island, isn't it? The World Conference was held there... and perhaps it still is?]"
Jin felt as though he had finally found a major lead.