Chapter 66

The mass production of items is still undergoing trial and error. While we’ve managed to create F-class items, they only have effects commensurate with their ranking—nothing overly impressive. They possess simple effects and straightforward methods of use.

Take a sword for example. All it does is add a bit of strength, sharpness, and flexibility. The effect is minor—it doesn’t elevate it to the status of a divine blade, merely allowing one to acknowledge that there’s some effect.

Or is it? If you think about it from an industrial perspective, it could imply the ability to produce better raw materials. Despite the theoretical groundwork being laid, countless projects have failed due to the lack of suitable raw materials. So, this effect might not be as negligible as it initially seems. Hmm… My mind seems to be wandering, so I’ll cut it short. Anyway, it’s pretty lackluster. I’ll leave this sort of thing to my future self when I’ve grown into an adult.

Similarly, the E-class items currently under development don’t deliver much in the way of exciting effects. While there are exceptions, the E-class items mostly focus on enhancing equipment, rather than creating jaw-dropping, “this is fantasy”-type effects.

D-class items and above, on the other hand, hold more promise. While they might not be entirely satisfying due to heightened expectations, they’re at least worth looking into.

The key takeaway is that only when you can create D-class items can you truly claim to have attained some useful capabilities. However, there’s an issue. Despite having managed to produce F-class items, I’ve realized how incredibly difficult E-class item production is. It’s like climbing a local hill only to realize the next challenge is developing an automobile to conquer the mountain behind it. The genre suddenly shifts from mountaineering to engineering. Why the switch?

For F-class items, it was enough to just enchant a finished product, and even a single wizard could create them. However, E-class item creation requires cooperation between an equipment maker and a wizard, implying additional skills beyond just magic are needed—like sewing or smelting, for instance.

What to do…

If E-class items are this challenging, it’s hard to imagine what G-class items and above must be like. Those would likely be on the level of strategic weapons or the pinnacle achievements of a civilization, so they wouldn’t be easy to obtain. Military science, after all, is an interdisciplinary field.

This calls for academic research. Real experts, a proper budget, and a well-equipped research institute are required. Oh, and tight deadlines.

“Miss.”

“Come in.”

I closed the Magic Book I had been scribbling in and turned my chair to face the incoming Security Team Leader.

“I have a question.”

“Feel free to ask anything.”

“I’d like to get a gun. Is there any way?”

The Security Team Leader hesitated for a moment, then pulled out a pistol from their side and handed it to me. It was heavier than I expected.

“Bypassing the security regulations isn’t difficult. However, if you plan to use it outside, you’ll likely need assistance from the secretary’s office and the legal team.”

They seemed to be implying that while using it at home as an emergency measure is fine, shooting in public will get you arrested, which would require cleanup by the secretary’s office and legal team. It’s a bit strange how they’re treating me like a child, even though I technically am one.

“Here, take this.”

I handed the pistol back.

“I’ll be using it outside, but only within the Rift. And it will be used by Doyugeon.”

“The legal team will need to be consulted for precise details, but I suspect it won’t be allowed.”

The Security Team Leader essentially said it wouldn’t work.

“But using it secretly should still be possible, right? Inside the Rift, the gunshots won’t carry.”

“It is possible.”

Though the words were casual, the look they gave me was disapproving.

“I’m not really planning to use it secretly. Anyway, please find a way.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

If all else fails, using it secretly would work.

With that, I gestured to the Security Team Leader to leave, to which they handed me a file.

“What’s this?”

“It’s the newly enacted special law for the new city passed by the National Assembly.”

After reading the explanation, I’m still not entirely sure what it means, though the fact that they brought it without being asked indicates there’s a reason. The law outlines plans to construct a new city in Sejong to prepare for potential otherworld invasions. I don’t fully understand the specifics while reading it either.

As I kept reading, a familiar name caught my eye. It was the middle school I currently attend, technically a combined middle and high school, and owned by our foundation.

It appears the plan is to relocate my current school to this new city.

“What’s this all about?”

“It seemed you were unaware, given the rumors circulating within the school.”

“Ah.”

Because I don’t have any friends at school. Oh wait, I do.

“Yumina didn’t tell me.”

She was probably too busy handling LaPlace’s duties. This is on her.

“But why move the existing school? Wouldn’t it make more sense to build a new one for the new city?”

“The Chairman’s decision was taken into account.”

My grandfather?

What’s his reasoning? To cultivate pro-company talent by offering scholarships starting from middle and high school—there might be more to it than that. Why move the high school originally intended for me?

Momentarily, I wondered if I’m supposed to move to the new city because of this. Is the high school being relocated as an additional perk? Is it really? Hmm? Sounds plausible, does it? Is that really the case? Am I moving to the new city? I’ve never heard of this.

No, that’s not it.

“My middle school graduation is coming up, and with the current timing of the enactment of this law, if we start construction now, I’ll be attending the existing high school rather than the relocated one.”

Existing students likely can’t be forced to leave, so they’ll probably stay at the current school until graduation.

“The new city project has been in the works for about a year. Thanks to the early start of construction several months ago, the high school is expected to be completed before you enter.”

About a year ago was when the goblins attacked. Even before the law was passed, construction started, which implies there was already an agreement in place. Either we’re quick on our feet or this is a slapdash approach—either way, it’s rather perplexing. Moving like this?

What about Doyugeon? Considering his circumstances, can he move? Probably not. What will we do?

No, moving might just be our assumption and not a fact. I took out my phone to call my mom who’s out, but decided against it.

My thoughts are complicated. A mix of confusion and restlessness.

Assumptions are just assumptions, and there’s no need to jump to conclusions. We’ll find out more as time goes on. Not now, but later.

“Thank you for letting me know. That’s all for now.”

After dismissing the Security Team Leader, I looked through the file to review the expected transportation plans for the new city. If everything goes to plan, it seems Sejong will be closer to Seoul than I expected. This makes sense since the idea is to move the National Assembly and the Blue House to safer locations, but it doesn’t mean Seoul will be abandoned.

Meh, nothing special. I leaned back in the chair. There’s no particular reason.

I opened a spying app but didn’t hear anything significant. The sound is muffled because he’s in the living room, not his room.

Looking at the clock, it was nearing dinnertime. It wasn’t too late yet, so I left the house.

—

*

“What’s going on?”

After pressing the intercom repeatedly, Doyugeon opened the door. There’s a mix of surprise and curiosity on his face. It’s not like I visit without reason, and this particular timing before dinner is even more unusual.

“…Well?”

A brief silence passed.

I decided against elaborating further.

“It’s my choice to come here, so why are you questioning it?”

After saying that, I realized it was true. I pushed him aside and entered the house.

In the living room, a D-class sword sat on the table.

“What were you doing?”

“Checking the item.”

“Still?”

I had offered to analyze the magic structure of the item’s effects, but he insisted on doing it himself. It seems he’s particularly attached to this sword.

Sigh.

I sat on the sofa. Upon closer inspection, the item’s magic effect was visibly disrupted. In its present state, it won’t have any effect at all. Naturally, since I tampered with it, the process to fix it wouldn’t be too complex.

I let him try to figure it out alone out of a bit of mischief—let’s see how long he can resist asking for help. Stubborn childhood friend, eh?

“Did you eat dinner?”

“Huh?”

“I mean dinner.”

“No, I didn’t.”

Now that I think about it, I didn’t bring any dinner along either.

He nodded, as if confirming my thoughts, and naturally reached for his phone. Definitely opening a food delivery app.

“What are you doing?”

“Place an order.”

“Isn’t that unhealthy?”

“There’s nothing to eat at home.”

He gestured toward the kitchen with his fingers.

“In that case, you should make something.”

He opened his mouth as if to argue but then silently retreated to the kitchen. The sound of the refrigerator opening followed.

“Are there any ingredients?”

“…Yeah.”

He doesn’t sound enthusiastic, which suggests he finds cooking bothersome. Ordering food is certainly convenient. But can he cook? Hmm.

There’s nothing else I can do. I stood up from the sofa.

“Alright, since we have ingredients, I’ll—”

“No way! No way! Sit back!”

Doyugeon rushed over, picked me up, and gently but firmly plopped me back onto the sofa. Was I that light?

“I’ll do it.”

“…Alright then.”

I leaned back against the sofa.

Restless. There’s something off, but I can’t pinpoint what.

—

---