Volume 8 Chapter 12 Even If It's Strange, That's Fine
The next morning, seeing that Malachi the Golem's work was mostly done, Al decided to return to Lester.
"Al, I really appreciate your help this time. I hope you can get the 'Fly' spell soon so we can get to the research tower. But even if that doesn't happen and we get found by someone and treated as loot, you shouldn't feel guilty about it at all. That's just fate. I'm happy just to have been with Sir Tempest for this long."
Malachi the Golem whispered this while shaking hands with Al. Al could only nod at Malachi's words. Of course, he would try his best, but he couldn't just stay here guarding Tempest's body forever.
"Also, about the assistant device that the Goblin Mage had asked for, first, let me tell you about its background. This assistant device was actually made by a magician from my time..."
According to Malachi, the Golem's assistant device was originally owned by a magician named Mode, who lived during the same time as Tempest. At that time, magicians had their own homes and lived with their families and apprentices. Tempest and Moude knew each other but were not very close.
"Then, how did it end up in the hands of the Goblin Mage?"
"I don't understand. I may not have mentioned this before, but when I or this assistant device completely run out of mana, we lose the ability to retain memories. There is a state similar to hibernation that allows us to keep memories while using very little mana. However, this assistant device ran out of mana about ten years ago and reverted to its original personality."
Al tilted his head, wondering about the original personality. Was it like a baby? Malachi, the golem, paused before answering. He said it was fine to think of it that way. The golem explained that while it could help the person who first gave it mana, it lacked enough information to fully assist them. Therefore, it was still like a baby in its role as an assistant.
"Just a little while ago, I finished some research and adjustments for communication (installation), so I tried to have a light conversation, but honestly, the result was not very normal at all."
And for this assistant device, the one who first gave it mana was a goblin mage, and It changed its ability to communicate with humans to assist the goblin mage. However, it now harbors a strong hatred for Al, who killed its master, and only expresses feelings of resentment.
"Why would it do something like that..."
Al scratched his head hard. Malachi had explained that the assistant device was created to help humans. The goblins were the ones who had taken his twin sister, Ingrid, the hated Barbarians who saw humans as food.
"How did the goblin mage get this assistant device and start giving mana with 'Magic Power Control'? I don't know the reason. We can communicate now, but all this assistant device says are words of hatred towards you, Al. I think I'll try to persuade it a bit more, but it might take some time. Please let me keep it for a while."
Al nodded. The pendant hanging on his chest, the assistant device of Glee, was something he had given mana to with 'Magic Power Control' on a whim. Was there an ancient ruin near where the goblin mage was? Maybe the goblin mage found this there and did something similar?
"That possibility might exist. In Sir Tempest's time, this area was quite hot, and there were places like villas and research facilities scattered around. It's not impossible that the goblin mage accidentally got the assistant device."
Al tilted his head. The capital of the Sylvester Kingdom, where he lived, was far north. The capital of the nearby Tempest Kingdom should be similar. Al didn't know much about other countries, but in Sylvester, the border city of Lester was the southernmost inhabited area. South of Lester was an undeveloped region with Barbarians and magic beasts. However, Malachi mentioned that there were people living in that area too. Was it really different from when Tempest was alive?
"Why did it turn out this way, Al? Didn't you learn about the history of the world?"
"No, I didn't learn about that."
The history taught in middle school started with the heroic tale of the first King Sylvester, who founded the Sylvester Kingdom, and he didn't remember learning anything about what happened before that. And since Al had little interest in anything other than magic, he never questioned it.
"Can I investigate the assistant device of Sir Tempest's spouse, which is passed down in Tempest Kingdom? This incident has helped me learn a lot about these devices. The name of Sir Tempest's spouse's assistant device is Riana. If Riana is still in a hibernation state, we might be able to hear stories from that time. She likely played a role in the founding of Tempest Kingdom, correct?"
Malachi felt confident about the situation. If Riana wakes up from her hibernation, she will know how many years have passed since Tempest's death and what events occurred until the Tempest Kingdom was founded. Riana, as an assistant device, could provide valuable advice to Patricia, the surviving royal family member.
Until now, Malachi had to keep his identity a secret to protect Tempest's grave. However, things have changed. It will be interesting to see how Patricia reacts when she learns she can communicate with Tempest's grave and body, as well as with Riana, who knows about Tempest's life. Will she be emotional and believe it is Tempest guiding her?
"I'll explain it to Patricia."
"Please do. And I'll give this to you, Al."
Malachi the golem said this and took out a staff.
"This staff can use 2 spells: 'Soften Stone' and 'Soften Metal'. I wanted to give you something as a thank you, but this is about all I have that might sell. Even if we need to strengthen this base more, I still have spare ones, so please accept it without worry."
Al happily accepted the staff. He had a lot of things he wanted to try with these two spells, and there would be many uses for them.
"This magic tool is fixed to parameters for grave construction, so it might not be very easy to use. If that's the case, you can sell it to help pay for the 'Fly' spellbook."
"Parameters?"
Al looked puzzled, and Malachi the Golem tilted his head.
"Parameters are parameters. They are probably needed when casting spells, right?"
As Malachi the Golem explained, Al stared at the flat, mask-like face of Malachi the Golem and froze.
"Could it be... about options?"
"Is that what you call them now? For example, with 'Magic Missile,' do you aim for the center of the target, or do you take aim? What about the power and range?"
After hearing the explanation, Al couldn't help but laugh. Malachi the Golem asked what was wrong, but Al kept laughing for a long time.
"I see. What I realized is that my magic isn't strange at all. In the past, my way was actually the norm."
Eventually, after calming down a bit, Al smiled wryly and explained that today's magicians don't know about parameters and only use the parameters written in the spellbook.
"Indeed, the spellbook does show the most common way to use each spell, but they memorize it and use it as is. That means they can't adapt at all, which must be inconvenient. Didn't anyone find that strange?"
At first, Malachi the Golem repeatedly asked Al in disbelief.
"I don't have a teacher, so I learned on my own. It seems everyone else thinks that's just how it is."
"I see, that's quite strange."
Malachi the Golem couldn't help but mutter that. It seemed to be quite surprising for him.
"Yeah, Malachi, but there's a problem. If you memorize a spell without thinking about the parameters, you can't change the parameters later. So it's hard for the other person to understand."
"I see. But was Al's magic really that strange?"
"Hehe, well, yeah. But it's okay. From now on, I can confidently say that even if my magic is weird, it's still better that way."
Al nodded happily several times. He's sure what Eric and Leda are trying will go well too. Malachi said so, and he felt sure of it.
"So, thanks for the staff. I'm heading back for now. I'll try to drop by whenever I can. It's not too far from the city where I'm based."
"Yes, got it. Be careful."
Al waved goodbye to Malachi and the golem, then headed towards the border city of Lester.
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