I Favor the Villainess Chapter 16

In this world, magic is the cutting-edge technology.
To describe magic in Japanese IT terms, you can think of magical tools as the latest consumer electronics.
Of course, they aren't limited to consumer electronics.
Extending to administration and military, magic and magical tools are starting to spread.
As I said before, in this world their utilization methods makes for the difference in national power.

"This magical gem is the most essential part of magical tools"

The teacher pointed at the tip of a magic wand which is a basic magical tool.
There was a gem with a mysterious hue fitted there.

Magical gems are gems that triggered the development of magical tools, they bring about various phenomena in response to users' magical power.
Generally, the higher their size and purity the higher their quality is, and the larger phenomena can be caused.
In every country, mining and sales of magical stones are controlled by the country, under this country's royal family's control, Lene's family, the Orso Company, runs excavation and distribution.
By hearing this you should understand how high the position of Lene's house is on the market.

"Then, everyone. Please make basic magical bullets and hit the target"

In accordance with teacher's instructions, everyone began firing magical bullets at the target 25 meters ahead.
This magical bullet is magic primarily used for combat.
It's weak for military purposes, but it's handy for self-defense due to its ease of use.
Self-defense doesn't assume the culprit to necessarily be a human.

"The weak point of demons are their magical gem cores. Depending on attribute compatibility there are four combinations that are particularly effective."

Yes, there are demons in this world.
Demons appeared in this world together with the discovery of magical stones.
The popular theory says that animals become demons by taking in magical stones.
Demon-converted animals have drastically improved abilities and their appearance change.
You wouldn't be able to imagine some were the original animals, they appear close to what you'd find in fairy tales.

Regarding magical attributes, I'll omit it for now.

"Rei. You've been absent-minded since a while ago, are you okay?"
"Ah, Misha"

Misha is watching me with a suspicious face.
No good, I was in a daze.

"Even if you possess two attributesDual Caster, isn't it bad to neglect the usual practice?"
"You're right, yup"

Misha is fundamentally Miss Serious.
I decided to practice magical bullets seriously alongside her.
I stared at the target and held the magical wand.

"Ei"

Black and blue dichromatic magical bullet flew out from the magical wand.
Magic is color-coded.
The earth attribute is black, the water attribute blue, the fire attribute red, and the wind attribute white, that's the impression.
Generally it's said that the deeper color, the stronger magical power is used.

The magical bullet I released went straight ahead, directly hit the heavy wooden target―― and pulverized it.

"…"
"…"
"Ah"

The gazes from my surroundings hurt.
It seems I made a mistake in adjusting the power.
Watching the broken beyond repair target, I regretted my action.

"Hmph!"

Immediately afterwards, a target near the one I destroyed crumbled down engulfed in flames.
Of course, it was Claire-sama's doing.

"Do not become conceited. This much is possible even if one does not possess two attributesDual Caster?"

Claire-sama raised her chin and loudly laughed.

"Claire-sama"
"What is it?"
"You're so cool. Please marry me"
"Why did it become this!?"

Her respectable pose collapsed, I can't help but find Claire-sama lovely today as well.

"Hey, hey. Don't lose focus. If you make mistake when dealing with magic, it's dangerous. Use it carefully and seriously."

The elder teacher gently chided us.
Yup, we're at fault here.

"I'm sorry"
"Excuse me"

Not only me, but even Claire-sama obediently bowed our heads.
By the way, this teacher is Tred-sensei.
Although the teacher has only medium aptitudes, being the only confirmed holder of three attributesTriple Caster in the kingdom he's a leading magic researcher.
He's an uncle… no, a grandpa with a boring elderly appearance, but as a matter of fact he's an amazing person.

This country was a step behind other countries in magic research.
Because the kingdom had held the highest military power among its neighbors until then and rested on its laurels, it didn't properly evaluate the value of the new technology called magic.
The kingdom hemorrhaged excellent magic researches one after another, even after the current king introduced the policy that put emphasis on magical power it couldn't catch up for a while.

At that time, Tred-sensei burst into fame.
He brought excellent magic technology knowledge from where he studied.
From basic magic theory, magical gems mining methods, to magical tools development methods, the current kingdom owes all these basics of magic technology to Tred-sensei.
Nevertheless, it seems the cutting edge magic technology is slightly behind, yet it might be said it indicates it's the age of technology called magic.

Well, that's why Claire-sama is paying respect to the teacher.
Due to contributions in the field of magic the teacher received the status of a knight.
Of course the status of Claire-sama's ducal house is far superior, but Claire-sama pays respect to truly excellent people.
She also burns with the sense of competitiveness.

"Everyone has become accustomed to the magical wand and magical bullets. Well then, let's move onto the explanation of the magic system"

Clap clap, with clapping Tred-sensei attracted attention.

"Although magic heavily depends on the individual's inborn grounding, still there are rough characteristics depending on attributes"

Saying so, he faced his palm towards the target.
The ground bulged, and something similar to a wall rose up.

"First of all, the earth attribute is mainly used for defense. Putting up earth wall is the basics. A high-ranking user can even construct castle walls"

Next, teacher shot a fire bullet towards the wall.
It burst on the earth wall, a section of it was damaged.

"The fire attribute focuses primarily on attacks. Shooting fire arrows or bullets is common. When reaching a high rank, you can do things like turning as far as the eye can see into a sea of fire"

Afterwards teacher approached the earth wall and put his hand on the damaged section.
The damaged section quickly returned to its original state like a video being rewound.

"The main use of the water attribute is recovery. It's used to heal wounds and diseases. When becoming a high-ranking person, although you can heal missing body pieces, the dead can never be revived"

Saying this much, teacher returned the earth wall to the ground.

"I cannot use the wind attribute, but its mainly used for ancillary roles. Combined with the fire attribute magic the offensive ability increases, combined with the water attribute the amount restored increases, it's like that. However, it's somewhat poorly compatible with its anti-attribute earth, so please take care"

When teacher finished the explanation, he instructed each person to go practice what they've just seen.
The wind attribute users seem to have individual consultations with teacher.
Although teacher doesn't posses the attribute, his knowledge is vast, he doesn't lack advice regarding the things you can do with the wind attribute magic.
Misha who has high wind aptitude, went to consult teacher at once.

"Yo, Rei"
"Morning"
"Good morning, Rod-sama, Yuu-sama"

Rod-sama and Yuu-sama came.
Looking around for Sein-sama, he was with Tred-sensei.
Come to think of it, he has the wind aptitude.

"You destroyed it flashily. As expected of you"
"Because we aren't very good at magic, we're a little jealous"
"Haa"

Although I don't dislike being praised, there's a person I wish praised me more than these two.

"Claire-sama"
"What is it. Right now I am busy?"
"Please praise me"
"… You really are abrupt"

Claire-sama looked at me amazed.
Looking at us like that, Rod-sama roared with laughter and Yuu-sama chuckled.

"You really are on good terms"
"It is an outrageous misunderstanding. I do not recall relaxing around this person"
"So she says, Rei?"
"I like such Claire-sama very much"
"… Enough already"

Claire-sama showed a worn-out appearance.

"Are you okay?"
"Whose fault do you think it is!?"
"It's mine! Sorry! I love you!"

As usual, a married couple comedic routine (one-sided) took place.

At that moment, shrieks arose.

Chapter end