Around the time Jin, Eira, and Kachea were wrapping up their compilation of the "three-dimensional magic circle technique."
"Ah, total success, absolute success!"
"We can really put high hopes into this frame. A grand framework for a grand frame, eh?"
Chattering idly amongst themselves, the other members of the Go-lab returned.
"Jin-dono, welcome. We are honored by your visit."
The laboratory chief, Rasnat Heilbronn, was the first to step forward and greet Jin.
"Thank you so much for all your advice the other day."
He was referring to when Jin's Doppel had stopped by to check on Kachea.
"No, I'm just glad if it was of any help."
"Oh, it certainly was!"
Rasnat loudly reaffirmed his gratitude, brushing aside Jin's modest demurral.
"The mini-golem we tested today incorporates those exact suggestions. Please, you must see it!"
Speaking with palpable excitement, he presented a 40-centimeter small golem to Jin.
"Oho, this is nicely made."
Jin was genuinely impressed.
He wasn't sure which iteration this model was, but compared to their very first trial build, it demonstrated remarkable progress.
The sleek smoothness of its frame promised fluid movement, while the precise finish of its joints foretold reliable articulation.
"Thank you very much!"
Beaming at Jin's praise, Rasnat was in high spirits.
"Allow us to demonstrate its movement....Groma, if you would."
"...Right."
With a faint, wry smile, Groma Tray spoke the keyword:
"'Start.'"
Groma seemed to hold the highest command authorization, Jin noted silently.
"YES."
Having powered up, the golem responded in a somewhat high-pitched voice.
Judging by that, they're using an artificial vocal cord for its voice mechanism, huh.
It operated on a system where air vibrations across a vocal cord produced sound, mirroring a human's physiology.
Because it emulated natural speech mechanics, it was relatively easy to construct and produced an organic tone.
However, its primary drawback was that the smaller the golem became, the shriller and higher-pitched its voice turned out to be.
Other alternatives included the voice synthesis method and the speaker method.
To borrow a comparison from modern Japan, the voice synthesis method was akin to virtual singer software capable of singing original compositions and lyrics.
The speaker method, on the other hand... while hard to match with a direct equivalent, was somewhat reminiscent of the automated voice prompts in certain car navigation systems.
The small golem proceeded through a standard sequence of self-diagnostic movements before their eyes.
From that routine alone, Jin could clearly recognize the immense strides they had made.
"This is wonderful. Its movements are completely transformed."
Jin offered another word of praise.
Truly, its fluid, nimble articulation was well worth commending.
"Ah, we are deeply honored to receive such high praise!"
Rasnat's mood soared even higher, and he eagerly sought a handshake from Jin.
"Would you say we are making steady progress, even if it's step by step?"
"Yes, without a doubt."
Jin answered without an ounce of flattery.
"Ah, that is wonderful to hear....Would you do us the honor of joining us for lunch?"
And so, Jin ended up sitting down for a midday meal with the crew of the Go-lab.
Meanwhile, winding back the clock just a little, Elsa was paying a visit to the Medical Squad.
"Medical Squad" was merely a provisional designation.
Given its current modest size, it was officially classified as a "Squad," but plans were already in motion to rename it to something like the "Medical Institute" in the near future.
Under the purview of the Medical Squad sat the Medical Research Lab.
Hosting Elsa on this day was the deputy laboratory chief, May Shy Joey.
Incidentally, because her given name, middle name, and surname all ended in a "Y," she had earned the nickname "3Y"... a trivial bit of trivia, perhaps.
"I look forward to the day that happens."
"Whatever progress we make is all thanks to your guidance, Elsa-sama."
Sipping tea in the inner office of the Medical Research Lab, May bowed respectfully to Elsa.
"Your lecture the other day broadened our perspectives tremendously."
"If that is so, then I am glad."
Here, Elsa brought up a question that had lingered in her mind.
"Um, how are the rescued villagers doing?"
The incident had occurred just four days ago. She couldn't help but wonder about the well-being of the people she had treated with Healing magic.
"Yes, every one of them was safely escorted back to their home village. They are all in good health."
"Hearing that puts me at ease."
Elsa inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.
It had weighed on her conscience that she hadn't been able to monitor the patients under her care through to their complete recovery.
"That juice you provided proved exceptionally potent as a restorative tonic."
May was referring to the Persica juice Jin had left behind.
"Yes, because it is something I crafted together with my husband."
"I see, with your husband, the Magi Craft Meister... That explains everything."
May nodded vigorously in understanding.
Fruit trees like Persica were cultivated in modest quantities for research within Avalon, but they fell far short of the rich free ether content found on Hourai Island, leaving their medicinal efficacy comparatively modest.
Elsa offered a helpful tip:
"If you age it... storing it for an extended period inside a free ether box, its potency should increase."
A "free ether box" was a dedicated storage unit maintaining a free ether-to-air concentration of eighty percent or higher. Preserving items within one steadily elevated the purity of magic-infused materials.
Naturally, the dense concentration of free ether also prevented its contents from spoiling.
Moreover, the Persica juice from Hourai Island carried the added advantage of being harvested from an extraordinary environment—a natural free ether singularity—giving it an innate affinity for free ether far surpassing anything grown elsewhere.
Recognizing that this particular factor was impossible to replicate, Elsa kept that detail to herself.
"Thank you so much for the instruction!"
May dipped her head in genuine delight.
She then shifted to the primary agenda for the visit.
"May we proceed under the assumption that today you will be instructing us in various medical techniques and knowledge along these lines?"
"Yes, that was my intention."
"In that case, would you mind if we structured the session as a focused Q&A with designated representatives asking the questions?"
"I leave the arrangements to you."
And so, within Avalon's Medical Research Lab, Elsa's instruction was poised to ascend to the next level.