Outside the laboratory stood a golem that Rubina had presumably constructed.
It was a giant golem, roughly fifteen meters tall.
"Oh, it's on par with a Titan."
"Um, Jin-sama, quite a few people on this island major in magi-craft with the goal of becoming a Magi Craft Meister," Marikka explained.
"Even among them, that girl is quite exceptional."
"Yeah, to build something like that at her age... she's already a pro."
However, to become a Magi Craft Meister, one had to aim even higher than being a professional. Furthermore, as had been discovered recently, their magic pattern needed to include sub-ether waves.
It's a pity, but that girl's magic pattern is...
Indeed, even before considering the sub-ether wave requirement, her pattern was vastly different from Jin's.
I suppose the requirements to be a Magi Craft Meister are just too strict, Jin thought, feeling like clutching his head. Since I’m already known as the Magi Craft Meister, maybe I should think of some kind of equivalent title for others...
The thought occurred to him suddenly, though he couldn't come up with a fitting name right then and there.
"Father, how shall we proceed? Shall I face her?"
While Jin was lost in thought, Reiko nudged him for instructions.
"Ah, right... Well, I'll contact Laojun and have Titan 2 sent here."
"Understood."
The Titan was a giant golem Jin had created, standing fifteen meters tall and weighing about five tons. The second unit, Titan 2, was the model Reiko piloted. For the record, Unit 1 was a semi-autonomous type, while Unit 3 was a remote-controlled type.
"Now, what will you—wait, wh-what!?"
"Whoa!"
"Gah!"
It was only natural that everyone was startled when Titan 2 suddenly materialized in the plaza. Only Marikka remained composed.
"Ah, a transporter. As expected of you, Jin-sama."
"Th-this is the technical prowess of the Ancestor..."
"I had heard of it, but this... it's beyond my imagination..."
"H-hmph! It’s decent! Y-yes, it wouldn't be interesting otherwise!"
Contrary to her blustering words, Rubina's eyes were darting around and she was fidgeting restlessly; her agitation was plain to see. In short, she had reached the point of no return.
"L-let's have a match then!"
The competition would begin as soon as Reiko boarded Titan 2.
"A match is fine, but what are we competing in?" Jin asked.
"Th-that should be obvious! We'll do that!"
"What is 'that'?"
"When I say 'that,' I mean 'that'! You know... er..."
It was obvious she was making it up as she went along—a sight Jin found rather endearing.
"...When you say a match, it has to be a fight!!"
"Wouldn't it be better to avoid that? If golems of this size start fighting, the damage to the surroundings would be immense..."
But before Jin could finish his warning, Rubina interrupted.
"Are you getting cold feet!?"
"No, that's not it... Look, if they fight, there's a high chance the loser will end up broken, right? If that happens, we won't be able to do any other events. I thought it would be better to compete in something else first."
Jin tried to present a logical argument.
"U-um, that might be true. It's better if there are more scenes where I win."
Rubina seemingly fully intended to sweep the competition. Marikka gave a wry smile and made a proposal.
"Then, try a one-kilometer run first."
If one considered a fifteen-meter height to be ten times the scale of a human, this was a competition equivalent to a hundred-meter dash.
"The plaza in front of the laboratory is wide enough for that. Let's see... it should be a little over a kilometer to the far edge..."
"Got it! Let's do it!"
"Reiko, that's the plan for now."
«Understood.»
Reiko's voice echoed from within Titan 2.
Marikka volunteered to give the signal to start, while Trihart headed toward the finish line in a Golem automobile. A minute later, word came from Trihart through the manacam held by Susanne that preparations were complete.
"Alright then, on your marks... get set... go!"
I was really hoping she’d say ‘Start’... While Jin was thinking of such trivial things, the two giant golems thundered away, the ground trembling beneath their weight.
And then:
『The Ancestor wins!』
The report came through the manacam.
It was an obvious result; Titan 2 appeared to be about three times faster even to the naked eye.
"U-ugh... I-I haven't completely lost yet!"
Jin watched the blustering Rubina with a gentle smile. Before long, Titan 2 and Rubina's giant golem returned. Jin gazed intently at them as they approached.
As I thought, the weight balance of its limbs is a bit off.
Jin had already identified one of the technical flaws in Rubina's giant golem.
"Wh-what's next?" Rubina asked Marikka.
"Let's see. Why don't you try a long-distance throw? We're close to the sea here."
The coast was apparently about three kilometers away. It was a distance that would take less than three minutes by Golem automobile or Rubina's giant golem—and less than a minute if Titan 2 ran.
"That's fine with me!"
And so, the venue shifted.
Since there were three Golem automobiles at the laboratory, everyone present moved together to the coast.
"...What should we throw?"
The shoreline was rocky rather than sandy, with boulders scattered everywhere.
"They should be the same weight," Marikka said. She chose two rocks that looked roughly the same size. After using Analyze, she matched their weights with Separation and adjusted them into smooth spheres with Forming.
It was an impressive display of magic, and everyone present was captivated by her efficiency.
"That's amazing, Marikka. Well done."
When Jin gave his honest praise, Marikka's face turned beet red.
"I-I-It is an h-honor!"
"..."
Jin gave a wry smile, while the others looked on as if they had witnessed a rare phenomenon. Only Rubina seemed not to notice, consumed by her competitive spirit.
"I just have to throw these, right!"
"Yes. We'll have you throw them at the same time."
At Marikka's word, Titan 2 and Rubina's giant golem each picked up a stone sphere.
"Will we be able to tell which one flew further?" Jin asked.
"I should be able to see it. Besides, the size of the splash should make it clear," Marikka replied.
"Then, get ready... throw!"
Reiko in Titan 2 and Rubina's giant golem both hurled the heavy projectiles out toward the sea.