Volume 5 Chapter 48, Part 2 They Say a Man Only Needs to Be Apart for Three Days... But Women's Growth is Amazing Too
"Originally, magic was a technique of drawing these kinds of arrays and interacting with magical elements. What we have now is a simplified version, adapted for individual use. You can think of it as the arrays evolving into what we now call magical circuits."
"At the moment of magic activation, something similar to this appears, huh──"
"You can think of it as a visualized control mechanism."
From the look on Ellie's face, she was trying to explain it in a very simplified way, but Randy just wanted to say, "Plain Japanese is fine."
However, he didn't voice that thought.
He simply nodded with a look of understanding, saying, "Hmm."
"...Randy, you don't get it, do you?"
"I do."
Ellie, with a sharp glare, sighed and said, "Well, whatever," as she held the paper up to the light.
"A conditional magic circle, huh?"
"So you do call it a magic circle."
Ellie, while saying, "It's an interesting magic circle," seemed genuinely happy as she explained that the paper was inscribed with both magical circuits and ancient magic language.
Apparently, the magic set on this paper activates in response to strong magical power.
"Most likely, the magic that put you to sleep was of a similar type."
"But they haven't used any strong magical power?"
"Then, they probably set up something with pre-infused magical power on the door. Opening it would complete the circuit and activate the magic. Or perhaps something blocking the circuit was removed."
Randy furrowed his brows as he watched Ellie, who was staring intently at the small piece of paper with the magic circle, and asked, "Can you really do something like that?"
"Who do you think I am?"
Ellie snorted, saying that while it was a completely new and interesting technique based on ancient magic circles, it was actually simpler than runes once you understood the trick.
"Well then... Since we're here, let's see how Liz handles this."
With a sly grin, Ellie vanished, and Liz appeared in her place.
"A magical circuit system linked to the door, huh..."
Liz pondered for a moment, then pulled out a sheet of paper from thin air and began drawing a magic circle with swift and precise strokes.
Randy watched her with utmost seriousness.
Though Liz was capable of drawing magical circuits, Randy couldn't help but wonder if she could replicate a technique that even Ellie deemed new and advanced.
After finishing her initial drawing, Liz added a smaller magic circle connected to the first one. "If it were me... I'd do it like this," she explained.
"I made it so the effect produces sound."
Liz explained with a smile, but Randy barely understood what she was talking about.
Apparently, you're supposed to infuse magical power into it first, but the small magic circle she added on the side seems to pool that power and block it from reaching the main circle... or so it seemed.
After finishing her explanation, Liz set the paper so that a small magic circle would cover the door's hinge, "This should do it."
"Now, when you open the door────"
Liz opened the door forcefully, but... the magic circle just fluttered to the ground, and nothing happened.
Her face slightly red, Liz picked up the magic circle and hurried back to the sofa.
"W-well, this part was supposed to tear."
Shrinking a little, Liz tore the small magic circle she'd added next to the main one right down the middle.
Instantly, a small "beep" sound echoed from the paper.
"Well, that's surprising."
"Right. Ellie's impressed too. 'Who'd use such an inefficient technique?' she said."
As Liz and Ellie said, whether it's magic circles or magical circuits, drawing them requires materials and time.
Magic materials tend to be expensive.
Using them as disposable items is incredibly costly and time-consuming to prepare.
"So, that means they have the knowledge to revive this..."
"And the capital to waste on it... right?"
It's now certain that their opponent is at a national level.
No, Randy had already assumed it was the empire from the start, but having it confirmed made him tilt his head back and mutter, "What a pain."
"By the way, what's the effect of that small magic circle?"
"This is... poison."
"Poison?"
As Randy furrowed his brow, Liz explained that it seemed to be something the intruders had left in the pockets of the clothes they'd abandoned in the drawer.
"If they notice the intrusion, they'll probably dispose of the contents of the drawer."
"If the clothes might be contaminated with something────"
"Most people would burn them, right?"
"If you notice that you're intruding, you'll be discarded."
"If it's clothes that might be contaminated by something..."
"Boom. So that's how it is," Randy remarked dryly.
It was a rather insidious parting gift.
However, once exposed, it posed no real threat—just tear up the magic circle and everything would be nullified.
"Even if it were contaminated, we can purify it without any problem," Liz added with a wry smile.
"True. Especially with the First Lady around," Randy agreed with a chuckle.
"Anyway, we can't risk another intrusion while we're out. Shall I protect the entire house with runes?"
"At this point, I almost feel bad for them," Randy muttered, unable to stop his laughter.
Not only had their techniques been replicated, but they were now being countered by even greater wisdom.
"I'll finish this quickly."
Liz declared as she stood up and began engraving runes on doors and windows.
As Randy watched her capable back, a term popped into his mind—"Multiple Chanting."
――An ancient technique recorded in old texts, known as Multiple Chanting.
"There's no way they can actually use that... right?"
Randy muttered to himself.
It would be a while before Randy discovered that not only Ellie but also Liz had mastered that very technique.
* * *
Meanwhile, at the same time──
"Hey, why isn't Liza back yet?"
Cedric complained.
"Who knows? Maybe they've got a lot to catch up on," another voice speculated.
"They could've just talked here with everyone."
"You're asking me like I have the answer...."
"We should've all come back together!"
Cedric huffed, clearly restless about Liz and Randy's delayed return.
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