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ABOUT ten days later.
The day had finally come to test the magical barrier with the magical device in question—the Barrier Amplifier.
Magic stone harvesting finished the next day, and the device was finished just as swiftly. But, obviously, we couldn’t just experiment with it for the first time on the main barrier that protected the entire country.
When we brought the existence of the new device to the people in charge of the barrier and requested their cooperation, they all agreed without hesitation.
After that, we swapped people in and out and experimented with casting a barrier wall similar in size and scale to the national one, performing repeated tests.
The minimum number of people required to ensure stable operation.
A risk-free transition method for the initial operation of the Barrier Amplifier.
A technique to prevent the magical barrier from wavering when replacing the members that make up the barrier.
A method of use that places minimal strain on the Barrier Amplifier during continuous use.
What to do if a malfunction occurs with the Barrier Amplifier.
We identified many other areas of concern, big and small, devised countermeasures, and repeatedly tested them. And now…here we are.
I knew things would be fine after such extensive testing, but I still felt nervous now that we’d come down to the real thing. Of course, when operating a magical device of this magnitude, we have to be careful about who is present.
The king and other important dignitaries were to be protected by multiple layers of protective barriers, and measures were taken to ensure a high level of safety, even in the event of a massive explosion.
It surprised me that Prince Helios was present for the occasion. No doubt to facilitate his later reign. It was the prince’s first visit to the room where all those involved in barrier casting were gathered. He was looking around with a curious expression.
He was an important figure. The future of this country. Of course, several sturdy barrier spells were cast around Prince Helios’s person as well.
In addition, all of the members of the Third Mage Guild were present to handle anything unforeseen. If this worked, the tough working conditions involved in barrier casting would be alleviated, so everyone present was highly invested. Even if something bad happened, I was confident we’d be able to handle it with the manpower present.
As I looked around at everyone’s hopeful faces, I noticed Seren looking at me encouragingly. When our eyes met, she smiled and nodded as if to say, “It’ll all be okay.”
…Right. Of course it would. There was nothing to be afraid of.
I took a deep breath, then stood in front of the Barrier Amplifier. “Okay. I will now activate the Barrier Amplifier. As we practiced, please remove your spells one by one as I increase the output. Let’s keep things as steady as possible to avoid big fluctuations.”
“Roger!”
Nervous excitement filled the room. I turned and spoke in a loud voice. “Activate the Barrier Amplifier!”
“Yes, sir!”
While Old Man Euleho supervised, an up-and-coming magical device maker known as Yarko flipped the switch.
WHIRRR… With a muted sound, the Barrier Amplifier started up.
No issue at all.
Just as it had done in the tests, the Barrier Amplifier quietly carried out its purpose with only a slight humming noise. A steady stream of high-purity magical power emanated from the magic stone installed in the large candlestick-like object that stood about waist-high to a person.
“It’s stable. Mifa, you can leave the formation.”
“Carefully, though.”
Mifa gradually reduced the magical energy she’d been sending to the barrier and slipped out of the formation without a hitch. We use this method during our usual wall duty personnel changeover operations as well. Mifa was used to the procedure, so there were no worries there.
“Let’s increase the output.”
Old Man Euleho gave this direction in a quiet voice, and Yarko turned the knob smoothly. There was a muted click, and the next person slipped out of the formation. We repeated the same procedure until three people had left the circle of eight spellcasters.
“…It’s stable.”
“Yes, it’s quite stable.”
Everyone present sighed with relief.
Strangely, I don’t feel a sense of euphoria like I get when I defeat a monster. Just a sense of relief, like, phew. But we’re still just testing things out, so maybe that makes sense.
Using a magic megaphone, I clarified things for the benefit of the king and the watching assembly members. “As you can see, the Barrier Amplifier is working as desired. Even though three High Mages have left the formation, the Wall is still as strong as ever.”
“Wow…!”
“Unbelievable.”
“This is unprecedented!”
“So you’re saying this device can essentially replace three whole High Mages?”
“That can’t be, can it?”
The country’s leading figures were in a state of shock over how smoothly the Barrier Amplifier was working. They seemed surprised that our great magical barrier wall, which had been in place for the last two hundred years and cast continuously by elite mages, could be supported by a magical device.
“If the barrier works without issues for the next three months, we plan to install another identical Barrier Amplifier. Once that happens, we’ll only require two, maybe three persons to operate it, freeing up time and manpower for other research. This will, of course, allow us to develop new magic and magical devices far more quickly than ever before,” I explained.
The crowd murmured in surprise again.
The king stepped forward, silencing the assembly. “High Mages.”
The room fell silent.
It was rare, even for us High Mages, to be addressed directly by the king. The mages gazed at the king with a mix of anxiety and excitement on their faces. The king looked around at the assembly and smiled benevolently.
“Though I regret we have not had many opportunities to meet face to face, like now, Archmage Viol is always making reports to me about the splendid magical techniques and devices you all are always so busy making, and it is clear how dedicated you are to your work. I believe the Communicators, Sound Amplifiers, Sound Recorders, Water Overflow Canisters, and Incineration Boxes were also your inventions…?”
The king reeled off a list of the magical devices we’d developed.
“In just the past few years, you have created amazing magical devices that have changed people’s lives, as well as powerful magic techniques that other countries dare not compete with.”
Everyone looked pleased to have their efforts directly praised by the king.
Who could fail to feel satisfaction when their creations are praised and concrete examples given as proof? I felt proud and pleased, too, to see how the king appreciated everyone’s efforts.
The king smiled more broadly and continued as he looked around at the parliament members in attendance. “Furthermore, in regards to the recent discovery of the great magical energy source and the vast magic stone at the heart of it… I was surprised to learn that this came as a result of your long efforts in suppressing magical beasts. Through fighting against dangerous beasts without regard for your safety, and through your careful study of the phenomena that exist out there, you have produced truly worthy results. High Mages are truly…”
The king paused and looked around the room slowly.
“You are truly our national treasure.”
He seemed to be making eye contact with each member of the guild and addressing them personally. That seemed to resonate with them, and I could hear them sighing and murmuring.
“With the introduction of this new magical device, we will be able to spend less time and manpower on maintaining the great barrier wall. You, then, will have more time to dedicate to your important magical research. I hope you will continue to use your intellectual curiosity to the fullest and develop many fascinating technologies that will advance this country and the world itself.”
In other words, the king expected great things from us. With that message conveyed, the king and the other officials left the room.
Ah, what a wonderful day. When the mages lifted their heads, their faces showed renewed motivation.
The king was expecting great things, so great things we must deliver. If this magical device we were rolling out today was an ongoing success, it would greatly benefit the country and our guild. We would have more time for research, yes, but we’d also have more time to have lives outside of work.
With renewed vigor, I gave instructions to my most capable subordinates. “All right, the first phase has gone off without a hitch. As originally planned, from here on, we will begin full-scale operations while continuing to monitor closely for any issues. We will commence shift work on the Wall, and please, be sure to report even the tiniest of anomalies.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Please make sure to use the extra time this device affords us in profitable ways and remain vigilant to attend to any crisis.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Well, then, this concludes our preliminary roll-out. Thank you for being here, everyone. Wall Guards, remain on duty. Everyone else, please disperse and return to your usual tasks.”
Everyone clapped, and the atmosphere in the room grew casual and jovial. Seeing everyone’s bright smiles warmed me.
How wonderful if this success could be ongoing.