Using the light-attribute spell Light Locus to draw magic circles at distant locations seemed destined to become a research subject as well.
Though the members of the Go-lab were utterly dumbfounded, Groma Tray recovered quickly.
"Jin-dono, I take my hat off to your creativity. It's truly amazing how you develop one thing after another like this. It is just as expected of the Magi Craft Meister!" he praised.
"Thank you....I think being able to activate magic at a distance like this has immense significance."
"Indeed. I believe its range of applications will be wide....Shall we name it something like 'Magic Circle Projection Technology'?"
"Yeah, that sounds good."
And so, "Magic Circle Projection Technology" was set to become a new research theme—though officially, this would be subject to the approval of Chief Administrator Tomax Bartman.
In truth, there was an underlying motive behind this: namely, the Magi Trans Gun and Magi Trans Cannon.
Since those utilized ether waves rather than light, they were completely unhindered by minor obstacles. However, their visual effects were similar, so putting magic circle projection technology to practical use was also useful as a cover for their operation.
Incidentally, the biggest difference was that the Magi Trans Gun and Magi Trans Cannon utilized ether waves—which could be considered mana itself—so they required no external supply of mana. In other words, a magic circle was unnecessary, and they activated using only a magi-sequence.
In contrast, when drawing a magic circle using Light Locus, a supply of mana was indispensable.
That was precisely why a magic circle was used to supply it.
However, because there was a time lag before activation, it was likely unsuitable for attack magic.
Even so, for non-offensive spells such as healing magic, it would be plenty beneficial.
Indeed, being able to cast healing magic from a distance was a major advantage.
After all, injuries could be treated during battle without an arzt having to rush to the scene.
"The Medical Squad will be delighted."
However, it was unfortunate that they could not expect much assistance from them when it came to practical implementation, Go-lab laboratory chief Rasnat Heilbronn remarked.
That was because most members belonging to the Medical Squad were unfamiliar with Magic Theory.
"Every man to his trade, I suppose," Jin said, though the exact nuance of the Japanese saying did not seem to translate.
The four of them—Jin, Eira, and Kachea, joined by Groma Tray—decided to examine this magic circle projection technology.
"First, let's consider the prerequisites."
For now, it would not activate unless accompanied by a simple magi-sequence along with a Magi Circle Reactor.
Since each of those was essentially standardized, Jin said there ought to be a way to manage it.
"If it's a specific spell, a specific magi-sequence will suffice, so how about combining a light projector with a cartridge?" Jin proposed.
To use an analogy, it would be like a slide projector and slide film, or an overhead projector and transparencies.
"I see! So we prepare something that records that information," Eira said. "Come to think of it, we already have wands engraved with spells, after all."
"Even so, this is only possible because the Magi Circle Reactor exists," Kachea chimed in with her opinion. "In other words, I believe it's fair to say that the foundation is the Magi Circle Reactor. Which means making the Magi Circle Reactor even more efficient is also necessary, isn't it?"
"Yeah, you're right, Kachea." Jin agreed with her. "So for now, as a starting point, I just want to build a system that can project and activate very simple magic at a distance."
Using the earlier analogy, he was saying he wanted to build the projector first.
"What we need to draw a magic circle using only light is, first, a light projector," Jin said.
Eira immediately followed up. "And something to record the magic circle's information, right?"
"Right. But that 'something' is the problem."
"What do you mean by that?"
Here, Kachea, who was not a magi, asked a question.
"Ah, it doesn't click for you, does it, Kachea? That's only natural."
So Jin decided to explain it in simpler terms.
"For example, one way to project the letter 'J' is to cut out the shape of the letter 'J' from a piece of paper and shine a light through it, right?"
"Yes, I understand that."
"So, if you cut out a magic circle instead of the letter 'J' and shine a light through it, you can project the magic circle."
"Yes. But that wouldn't work, right?" Kachea said she didn't quite understand the reason why.
"Right....Think about it carefully. It's true that the magic circle might be projected. But what about the part cut out of this paper here?"
"...Ah."
That part was also a magic circle. Meaning, magic would manifest right there on the paper.
"If it were a spell that produces light..."
"The cut-out paper would also keep glowing, wouldn't it?"
"Exactly....Well, it's not quite that simple, but that's the gist."
"I think I understand, more or less."
With that explanation, Kachea seemed to grasp it.
"Then the question is, what should we do?"
Here, Groma Tray, who had remained silent until now, spoke up.
"Since our goal is to examine how to wake up the magic circle, why don't we return to the basics once more?" he suggested.
"I see, that makes sense."
And so, Jin and the others decided to investigate methods of activating magic circles.
To circulate mana through a magic circle, one had to wake it up.
In short, it needed a trigger.
There were several methods to activate a magic circle. Channeling the caster's mana into it, or channeling mana from a magi-crystal or magi-stone, were common approaches.
As they talked through the problem, a path forward began to take shape.
"I'm thinking we could create a magic circle dedicated solely to being the 'trigger' and project it doubly," Jin voiced the idea that came to mind.
"U-Um, may I ask a question?" Kachea raised her hand. "Er, how do we activate the magic circle dedicated to the trigger?"
In other words, her question was: what serves as the trigger to activate the trigger-dedicated magic circle?
Eira answered this.
"Well, you see, a trigger requires only a truly minuscule amount of mana....Like toppling building blocks."
"Toppling building blocks" was equivalent to domino toppling or shogi toppling in modern Japan.
In other words, she was explaining that, just like knocking over a line of shogi pieces, dominoes, or blocks, only a tiny amount of force was necessary to start the chain reaction.
"Magic circles like that exist. Magic circles that start running simply by being drawn."
In truth, most magic circles contained such routine segments. Even the Healing magic circle that Reiko had drawn earlier with Light Locus had one.
When drawing a continuous-activation magic circle, it was completed by drawing that particular section last.
"Ah, so that's why simply projecting a finished image won't work."
"Exactly."
With Kachea finally understanding the crux of the problem, Jin and the others resumed their deliberation on magic circle projection technology.