Jin’s party set out for the capital, Loizart, riding in a carriage borrowed from the Magic Technology Minister, Reglei, who was an old friend of Lordtoss.
Reglei had also lent them a coachman—the golem Preyle.
"The territories may have unified, but maintenance in the border regions is still lagging behind," Lordtoss explained as the carriage rattled along.
Gradually, the scenery transitioned into a bustling townscape.
"If we secured some land around here now, I bet the property values would skyrocket in a decade or two," Jin remarked.
"Quite possibly."
"Hey, Jin-sama, what are 'property values'?" Rubina chimed in.
"It's just the price of the land."
"Wait, land is something you buy with money?"
The concept was clearly news to Rubina, and she looked genuinely startled. Though he didn't say it aloud, Shu seemed equally surprised.
"That's how it works. In places with high population density, land becomes a commodity... among other reasons."
It was a complex topic to explain simply.
(I suppose that’s why I was looking into the Magi Emulator back then…) Jin mused.
If he had a Magi Emulator, he could provide knowledge directly through Trans Info. Now that the threat of Markitus had been dealt with, Jin began to think it might be time to revisit that project in earnest.
While he was lost in thought, the view from the carriage window shifted back into a lively urban center.
"Ah, we've finally reached the Old Loizart city district," Lordtoss announced.
"Come to think of it, Lordtoss, how long have you known Loizart?" Jin asked.
"Let’s see... for about a hundred years now, I'd say."
Since Lordtoss was a hundred and twenty-five, it stood to reason he wouldn't remember anything before that, but Jin was still struck by the fact that Lordtoss had known the city since his youth.
"Here we are. Old Loizart."
Spread out before them were the moats that had once encircled the historic city.
"Ah, this brings back memories."
Since they were entering from the western road, Jin began to dig through his mental archives.
"If I remember correctly, this section used to be the inn district, and there were residential blocks for the common folk as well."
"Yes, that hasn't changed."
"In that case, if we pass the south side of the Royal Palace and head toward the southeast, we'll hit the district where the merchants and craftsmen live, right?"
Lordtoss confirmed that Jin’s memory was spot on.
"I see. Let's head that way, then."
"Understood."
The carriage proceeded straight down the main thoroughfare. The traffic of passing carriages increased, and the city’s roar grew louder.
Jin saw a few familiar buildings here and there, but there were also many new mansions and structures that had clearly been renovated or expanded. On the whole, the streetscape felt fresh and modern.
"Sorry, but could you take us to the bridge on the eastern edge for a moment?" Jin asked Preyle.
"Certainly. You mean as far as the moat?" the golem coachman clarified.
Jin nodded. "That's the spot."
They arrived at the eastern outskirts. Jin narrowed his eyes, peering at a mansion visible to the north.
"Jin-san, if I’m not mistaken, that house is..."
Lordtoss had clearly sensed the significance of the location.
"Yeah. It’s my old mansion. Shu, that’s the ancestral home of the Nidou family."
Hearing this, Shu Nidou—the direct descendant—looked upon the estate with a visible sense of awe.
"That place... is it really...?"
"Yeah. From what I can see, the exterior hasn't changed a bit."
"Perhaps your Toughening magic is still in effect, Jin-san," Lordtoss suggested.
Rubina, who had been quiet until then, suddenly leaned in. "Wait, what does that mean?"
Jin took it upon himself to explain.
"Physical reinforcement magic like Toughening or Hardening tends to lose its efficacy over time."
"What?! This is the first I've heard of that!"
"M-me too," Shu added.
Since it was news to both of them, Jin decided to give a little lecture.
"Well, when I say it weakens, I’m talking about a scale of decades. In most practical cases, the material itself degrades faster than the magic fades."
But, Jin continued, shifting into a more technical explanation.
"Reinforcement magic essentially bolsters molecular bonds with a 'free ether net,' but that net isn't permanent."
"Really?"
"It’s not. However, its longevity is proportional to the skill of the caster."
"In what way?" Shu asked, looking puzzled.
"That's the key. The durability of that free ether net depends on how well you synchronize the magic."
Jin looked between Shu and Rubina to see if they were following.
"Hmm... so basically, that 'net' starts to unravel as time passes?" Rubina guessed.
"Exactly," Jin confirmed.
"Synchronization... that means there’s something the magic has to synchronize with, right?" Shu asked.
Jin nodded again.
"It's not the material itself, is it?" Rubina mused. "Because you can cast reinforcement magic on things that aren't magi-types."
"Which leaves only one thing," Shu said.
"The reinforcement magic itself!" Rubina finished.
"The free ether net itself, right?"
With a few hints from Jin, both of them had reached the correct conclusion.
"That's it. To put it simply... think of it like a pile of blocks. If they're stacked perfectly straight, they’ll stand much longer than a pile that's been thrown together haphazardly."
Jin offered a simple analogy.
"Or perhaps it's like the principle of a laser. Durability changes based on whether or not you can perfectly align the phase of the free ether that makes up the net."
"I think I get it now."
"I think I understand, too."
Shu and Rubina both nodded, satisfied.
"By the way, the reason 'stacking' the magic increases the effect is because the phases align better with each casting. And, of course, the free ether net itself becomes physically sturdier."
Lordtoss nodded, looking impressed.
"As expected of you, Jin-san. That is almost exactly how it’s explained in Avalon."
"Glad to hear I'm not outdated yet."
Jin felt a sense of relief that the two students had grasped the concept.
The conversation had meandered, but the point remained: Jin's old mansion was still standing strong.
"I wonder who lives there now?" Jin wondered aloud.
"If I recall correctly, it is still owned by the Nidou family," Lordtoss replied.
The answer left Jin more than a little surprised.