Tatsuya and Lina moved from the Aircar hangar to a building next to the CAD factory—a research facility equipped with a reaction stone refinery. Sadly, their mode of transportation was not the Aircar but a hydrogen off-road vehicle.
Before entering the control room, Tatsuya took Lina to a small space resembling a conference room.
“I thought you could use these,” he said, showing Lina a thick gold choker and a silver bracelet.
“They don’t have any buttons,” Lina noted. “Are they FLT’s fully thought-operated CADs?”
“Spot on.”
“Well, everyone’s talking about them in the States,” Lina explained shyly.
Fully thought-operated CADs were first commercialized by Germany’s Rosen Magicraft, followed closely by Japan’s Four Leaves Technology. A third company had yet to emerge. That meant the only companies offering fully thought-operated CADs were Rosen and FLT, with the latter currently boasting a stronger reputation in the market.
“I know a few Stars members who are trying them out, but I haven’t used one myself,” Lina continued. “How does it work?”
Tatsuya was surprised to hear this. He thought Lina had a scientist or an engineer who had developed the tactical magic weapon Brionac for her. He had neither met nor even knew the name of this person, but seeing Brionac alone was more than enough proof of its creator’s technical prowess. Someone with those skills should easily be able to create a fully thought-operated CAD. Especially since the product was already on the market. It probably wouldn’t take much time, either.
Tatsuya decided to keep these thoughts to himself.
“FLT’s fully thought-operated CADs use technology developed from commercialized no-contact switches,” he explained.
“You mean they’re controlled by psion waves?” Lina marveled.
“Exactly.” Tatsuya nodded. “This choker-type CAD injects psions to produce a single activation sequence. That sequence is typeless magic that emits a highly focused psion wave at a chosen spot.”
“So all the user has to do is inject psions?”
“Right. Since the CAD’s activation sequence is limited to one type, it works like a switch. The control device in the choker is more semiautomatic than thought-operated, though.”
“It works like a combat device, then,” Lina mused.
“Right again. The bracelet is designed to unlock the suspension when linked with the choker’s control device.”
“How do I use it?”
“The choker’s activation sequence is designed to target the bracelet’s internal switch. Just mentally input the number of the spell you want to cast into your typeless magic formula, and the bracelet will give you your sequence.”
“…The activation sequence will show up just by thinking about the number of the spell I want to use?”
“Put simply, yes.”
“That’s amazing! Manually operating a CAD is the hardest part for magicians in close combat.”
CADs were tools that sped up spell activation. By using them to establish a magic sequence, magicians gained the power to confront large numbers of armed soldiers head-on. Unfortunately, the various steps required to operate CADs could also be a catastrophic weakness in a crisis. Specialized CADs were designed to make up for this disadvantage, but in doing so, they limited the types of magic that could be used.
FLT’s fully thought-operated CADs addressed all these issues. Rosen’s similar product integrated thought-operated mechanisms into specialized CADs. FLT’s version, on the other hand, separated the control device from the part that performed the primary role of the CAD. Although this made it necessary for users to carry two devices, FLT’s approach met the need for both hands-free operation and a large range of tactics.
“I’m glad you like it,” Tatsuya said. “You can pair the control device with up to four CADs, but you probably need only a single general-purpose CAD for now.”
“That’s more than enough,” Lina said.
A fleeting thought crossed Lina’s mind: Is it possible to control both general-purpose and specialized CADs with a single control device?
She didn’t voice it. The idea of switching between general-purpose and specialized CADs with just one device seemed too good to be true. Besides, she wasn’t sure she could maintain a poker face if Tatsuya confirmed her suspicions.
Tatsuya took the two CADs and headed to the adjustment room. Meanwhile, Lina went to the preparation room next door. The facility they were in was equipped with a standard adjustment device. It used a headset and hand panels to collect user data. But since they were using a brand-new CAD, Tatsuya thought it would be better to use a bed-type device to get a more precise measurement. To prepare for the procedure, Lina had to change into the appropriate clothing.
“H-here I am,” she announced.
Lina walked into the adjustment room wearing only a long, buttonless white shirt that fell about halfway over her thighs and fifteen centimeters above her knees. She had taken her hair down, letting it cascade down her back. Simple hospital slippers adorned her feet. She acted fidgety and shy, holding her arms across her chest as if to cover herself.
“Is this all right?” she asked.
“What do you mean?” Tatsuya responded.
“Are you sure you didn’t want me in my underwear?”
Lina glanced away shyly, embarrassed by her own question. Despite her innocent and bashful attitude, Tatsuya, of course, remained completely indifferent.
“Have you used this type of device before?”
“I’m required to get precise measurements at least once a month,” Lina replied.
That meant the Stars had the same machine at their base. To Tatsuya, once a month wasn’t very often at all. Then again, there probably weren’t many minors in the Stars like Miyuki, who was still a developing magician. While those in their twenties might be a different story, those in their thirties or forties wouldn’t need to update their measurements quite as often.
“Would you prefer to wear a swimsuit?” Tatsuya asked. “I can have one brought in for you.”
“It’s not like I’m asking to wear a bikini or anything…” Lina trailed off.
“It’s whatever you’d like to do,” Tatsuya assured.
Lina continued to fidget nervously. Normally, a long T-shirt was less embarrassing than an exposed bikini. There was no reason for her to feel uneasy.
Then a thought popped into Tatsuya’s mind: Is she naked under that shirt?
Neither he nor the facility staff had told her to take off her underwear when changing. However, Lina knew it was normal to only wear underwear when using the bed-type measurement device. When she was given the long T-shirt examination gown, it was possible she had assumed she shouldn’t wear anything underneath it.
It was too late for Tatsuya to tell her she had made a mistake. She was already red as a tomato. Pointing out her slipup would just make the situation more awkward for both of them. In fact, Lina might get even more embarrassed, ruining the adjustment process entirely.
“…I think I’m good with the shirt,” Lina finally said.
“All right. Lie down over there,” Tatsuya said in a more businesslike tone than usual.
During the measurement process, Tatsuya’s suspicion that Lina might not be wearing underwear deepened. He caught a glimpse of protrusions through the shirt’s thin fabric, but he didn’t stare directly at them. That made Lina think he hadn’t noticed, and the adjustment finished without a hitch.
Lina was already wearing the choker-type device, which was made of two half-circles that clasped together into a ring around her neck. The golden sheen matched the color of her hair exactly. At first glance, the choker looked like a luxurious pet or prisoner’s collar, but Lina didn’t seem to mind. It wasn’t like it was permanently binding. She could remove it whenever she wanted.
“I’ll stop by again tomorrow, so let me know if you have any problems,” Tatsuya said.
“Yes, sir,” Lina said with a salute.
The silver bracelet dangled on her wrist.
“Master Tatsuya,” Hyougo called out. “Please be sure not to turn off the tracer.”
“I know,” Tatsuya replied wryly.
He started up the Aircar. With its tires hovering several dozen centimeters above the ground, the vehicle sped out to sea.
✦ ✦ ✦
