Chapter 210

“Lv.6 Arcane Modules have already gone beyond the realm of human technology……”

Sniff.

Miyu, who had just experienced her first flick on the forehead from me, began to explain with a rather shocked expression. Seeing her eyes brimming with tears made my heart ache for no reason.

“In other words, we’re talking about the kind of weapons that appear in mythology. Like ‘Mjölnir,’ the hammer of Thor, the god of thunder, or the shield ‘Aegis’ wielded by the goddess Athena.”

“Make it simpler.”

“Hmm.”

After thinking for a moment, Miyu gave an example.

“Let’s say we’re building a car.”

“A car.”

“Yes, a car. From Lv.1 to Lv.5, it’s basically about gradually improving the materials or the structure. Like changing a wooden frame to a steel one, designing it aerodynamically, or increasing engine output so it moves faster. That’s the process of creating a ‘Normal Module.’”

“Got it.”

“But starting from Lv.6, the concept itself changes. It’s no longer about what kind of engine or structure the car has. What matters more is the ‘concept’ of the car itself. You could say, from Lv.6 onward, the car becomes faster by strengthening its very concept.”

Miyu sighed deeply.

“So from this point on, it’s no longer modern science—it’s philosophy or theology. The fifth quark we discovered is known to be heavily influenced by human faith and conviction due to its quantum characteristics. It’s still an area that hasn’t been properly studied.”

“……I don’t really get it.”

“Ummm……”

Perhaps frustrated, Miyu began mixing in all sorts of technical terms. But with all the Latin words, formulas, and Greek letters flying around, there was no way I could understand.

Eventually, she paused, thought for a moment, and tried a different approach.

“Then, have you ever heard of the name ‘Mistilteinn’? It’s a weapon from Norse mythology.”

Of course I had.

It often appeared in web novels, so I’d looked it up before.

While it’s often depicted as a terrifying spear in fiction, the original myth said it was a mere mistletoe branch used to kill Baldr, the god of light, son of Odin.

“Yes, originally, it’s just a branch—not even a weapon. But it could kill a god. Its molecular structure or properties would be those of an ordinary branch, yet it was used as a divine slayer.”

“……I don’t get it,” Ciel said, tilting her head beside us.

But having already used the [Cloud Spider] that had reached Lv.6 once before, I could understand relatively easily.

“You mean the ‘concept’ of the current [Cloud Spider] itself has been reinforced.”

“Yes, that’s how I see it. Though honestly, I’m a bit skeptical of your claim, Aaron. A Lv.6 Arcane Module theoretically shouldn’t even exist. It’s something science can’t comfortably explain yet……”

“Then why do we need to meet the Dwarves?”

“That’s… a bit tricky to explain……”

“Then let me explain it!”

Pop!

Suddenly, a small head poked out from between my legs—a little girl with golden hair and red eyes, clearly destined to be a beauty one day. She smiled brightly.

It was Evangeline.

I couldn’t help but ask, dumbfounded.

“……Where did you even come from?”

I was sure she’d been in the playroom.

“Do not underestimate me, Aaron! This Trinity Academy is already under my complete control!”

“When did you even get here?”

“From the beginning!”

“Did you tell Maria?”

“Uh…… no……”

“I’ll have her take you back.”

“Gyaaaah! Don’t do that! I’m sick of that playroom already!”

Judging by the situation, she must’ve used some kind of magic to sneak out while no one was looking.

Well, it’s natural—children have the hardest time staying in one place. In fact, she’d done well to endure for months.

Still, since there were dangerous items and places around the Academy, I’d have to remind her not to go near them.

But before that—

“Alright then, tell me. Do you know anything about what Miyu was talking about?”

“I don’t!”

“……”

What confidence.

Still, she was too cute, so I let it slide.

“I don’t know what a Module is! But things like Mistilteinn or Hromund’s Sword—those… um… those ‘can… conc…’ what was it? Concep?”

“Concept.”

“Yeah, that! When it comes to those, no one knows better than me!”

Then she tugged at my sleeve.

Her gaze fixed on my neck—it seemed the little witch wanted to be rewarded for her wisdom with a ride on my shoulders.

My head was basically her personal seat.

But since it wasn’t hard, I lifted her up and placed her on my shoulders. Satisfied with her tripled view height, Evangeline continued excitedly.

“I told you before, didn’t I? I’d long been fading away in the ‘River,’ and you, Aaron, were the one who pulled me out.”

“You did say that.”

Though I hadn’t understood half of it back then.

“The Dwarves are the most skilled when it comes to handling ‘Rivers’ and ‘Wells.’ Their enchantments are said to surpass even those of the Dragonkin.”

“Enchantment?”

“It means magical imbuement.”

Ah, like in games.

“I don’t really understand this ‘Module’ business, but I get that your thing has become closer to a magical artifact, making it harder to control. So naturally, you’d entrust it to an expert! Simple as that!”

“Hmm…… so, to summarize that……”

I turned to look at Miyu.

Flinching slightly, she trembled as if she’d been caught. Evangeline proudly delivered the conclusion.

“Exactly! Miyu doesn’t have the confidence to fix it herself, so she wants to leave it to the Dwarves! She just couldn’t admit it and started rambling!”

“Ugh……!”

Ah, I see now.

After all that long explanation, the main point was simple:

Lv.6 Arcane Modules are closer to mythical relics.

Magic and mythic concepts remain largely unexplained by modern science—no matter how much of a genius Modular one is, some things are simply impossible.

So, rather than handling it herself, Miyu wanted to entrust it to the experts—the Dwarves.

She could’ve just said that from the start.

“But still! To that shady race! Something I can’t do—! No, I mean……!”

“Calm down. Your words are all over the place.”

“Uuuugh! Just forget I said anything! I’ll take care of it myself rather than handing it over to that half-baked race! If you just give me five… no, four years of sufficient research funding, I’ll find a way to uncover its structure—!”

“I can’t wait that long.”

At my sharp reply, Miyu collapsed onto the floor with a thud.

Beside me, Ciel whispered softly into my ear.

“Miyu seems pretty prideful. I thought she was just a timid girl.”

“That’s her real personality. She’s just been hiding it until now.”

Well, whatever the case,

it looked like we had reached a conclusion.

“We’ll have to go meet the Dwarves.”

“W-wait, Aaron. Before that, there’s something I need to say……”

“Miyu. I know you don’t like the Dwarves, but this time, you’ll have to come with—”

“T-that’s not it!”

With a squeak, Miyu shouted, then stammered out her words in a calmer voice.

“Y-you didn’t tell me the most important thing. I’ve been wanting to ask for a while now… that… your Lv.6 Module……”

Even before Miyu could finish her sentence, I knew what she was trying to say.

She was talking about the Level Up Ticket.

Until now, Miyu had obediently followed my instructions.

She had created every new Module or piece of equipment I asked for, never demanding anything in return.

But it was only natural she’d have questions.

As an engineer, how could she not be curious about a ticket that forcibly boosted a Module’s output level just by tearing it apart?

Up to this point, I could excuse it by saying it was “Stingray Group’s latest technology,”

but with the appearance of the unprecedented Lv.6 Arcane Module, that excuse no longer worked.

This was something that clearly transcended human science and limitations.

“……”

“……Miyu.”

Ciel and I exchanged a silent glance.

And reached a conclusion.

Not yet.

It wasn’t time to tell the truth.

Blabbering about “Transmigrators” and whatnot wouldn’t make anything better.

On the contrary—the Author, who held a strange mix of resentment and interest toward me, might impose some kind of restriction on Miyu if she learned the truth of the world.

“I’ll tell you when the time comes.”

“Aaron, I… I just…”

“It’s not that I don’t trust you. I’m just not certain I’m ready yet.”

“……”

Miyu looked at me with slightly disappointed eyes.

Ever since the Living Fireworks incident, I could tell she wanted to grow closer to me.

Turning her away didn’t feel great, but there was no helping it.

“I promise.”

“A promise?”

“I’ll tell you everything someday.”

For now, that was all I could say.

I hoped that would be enough for her.

Perhaps she understood my intent, because Miyu quietly nodded.

“……Alright.”

Yeah. The time would come soon enough.

There were still a few days left before the first semester at the Academy began.

Once classes started, things would get hectic again, so now was the perfect time to take care of urgent matters.

This time, I decided to bring Miyu, Evangeline, and Iri along to visit the Dwarves again.

Miyu would be there as my assigned Modular, Evangeline for her magical expertise, and Iri as a guard to protect the other two if anything went wrong.

Last time, I’d brought drones,

but now, I wanted to start drawing a clear line between myself and Stingray Headquarters.

Academy, Stingray Exclusive Parking Lot.

Since an Anti-Rain Level 4 storm was forecasted, we needed to leave soon if we wanted to avoid the downpour.

At my call, the three of them gathered in front of the aerial vehicle.

And then…

“So this is why you suddenly called me out…”

Iri, who had been summoned unexpectedly, looked uneasy after spotting the other two.

Her face carried a touch of makeup, and her outfit had a softer, more girlish tone than usual.

It wasn’t hard to guess what she’d assumed this meeting was about.

I hadn’t meant to mislead her, but I still felt a bit guilty.

“I told you to wear something comfortable and easy to get dirty.”

“Right. Why didn’t I listen to the rest of that sentence? Ugh, I’ll go change.”

Grumbling, Iri left with a disappointed look.

Soon, she returned, wearing pants and sneakers instead.

“Alright, let’s head out.”

“Yes.”

All three answered in unison.

We boarded the vehicle and quickly left the boundaries of New Valhalla City.

After that, we donned masks, crossed the mountain of trash, and at last, managed to locate the village again.

Since we had been here once before, some of the villagers recognized us.

Of course, that didn’t mean they welcomed us.

“W-what’s this? Why’re city folks here again?!”

“We came to see the Dwarves.”

I’d prepared for this.

This time, I brought gifts—various liquors, snacks, and clothes bought from a department store—

and distributed them generously among the villagers.

Thanks to that, we were guided to the Dwarf’s home without any trouble.

But then came the unexpected problem.

【Leave! I’m not in the mood to see anyone right now!】

We’d reached the Dwarf’s house safely,

but the stubborn creature had locked himself inside and refused to come out.

“Hmm. What should we do?”

Iri asked.

“There’s always a way. Miyu?”

“That method again, huh……”

Miyu poured chilled premium beer into a frozen glass she had brought along,

then placed it carefully on the ground.

Of course, she also set up a trap above it—a basket, a plastic stick, and a long thread connecting them.

“Eh…?”

Iri tilted her head in confusion.

But soon, the trap proved effective.

Bang!

The tightly locked door burst open,

and several small figures came rushing out as if possessed.

“Beer! Beeeeer!”

“It’s mine! Miiine!”

“You little runt! You wanna fight?!”

The Dwarves—plural—started brawling over the beer.

As they rolled across the ground, nosebleeds splattering everywhere, Miyu’s carefully set trap was destroyed in seconds.

Well, it didn’t matter.

Whether there was one or many, as long as they could solve my problem, I didn’t care.

At least, I didn’t.

“Ugh… nngh…! D-Dwarves… there’s more than one…?! One was hard enough, but several…?!”

Miyu began to panic.

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