Switch Function

I was heading to the Magic Tool Research Club's classroom after magic class, but since Martine-sama is with me, everyone we pass has been staring at us. This is so uncomfortable. Hurry up and get there already!

"Leon, how much magic power do you have left after using Light just now?"

"Well, that Light hardly used any of my magic power. I don't know the exact amount, though..."

I checked to make sure there was no one around before answering in a low voice. It would be a problem if someone overheard us.

Light magic is very efficient, so it doesn't consume much magic power. For me, using it that much barely made a difference in my magic power.

"I-I see. As expected of you, Leon..."

Martine-sama replied in an equally quiet voice.

"Martine-sama, how much magic power did you use with that Light?"

Martine-sama was not as tired as the other students, but she did look a little fatigued.

"Well... I definitely used more than half of it."

That much!? Even among people with a magic-power level of five, Martine-sama apparently had a fairly large reserve, so everyone else must have used even more. No wonder they were tired.

Ordinary people really have less magic power than I expected... This makes it easy to understand why offensive magic hasn't developed much. Rather than relying on magic power that runs out so quickly, it would be more reliable to improve your swordsmanship.

"Leon, isn't there an image that can improve the magic efficiency of Light magic?"

Martine-sama asked in a voice so quiet that I could barely hear her.

Hmm... I'd tried all sorts of things with Light magic, but I hadn't been able to think of an effective image.

In Japan, lights came on through electricity, so I tried to imagine that, but I barely understood how electricity worked, and it wasn't very effective.

After that, I gave up thinking about it... Light magic was already efficient to begin with, so there hadn't been any need to think about it seriously.

"I haven't thought of anything effective. If I do, I'll let you know."

"I see. I would appreciate it if you did, but don't force yourself. I hardly ever have an opportunity to use Light magic."

True. There were light orbs everywhere, so she had no reason to use it.

"Understood."

As we talked, we arrived at the Magic Tool Research Club's classroom.

When I opened the door, Miguel-senpai, Loic-senpai, and Longo-sensei were inside. Lucien and Stefan didn't seem to have arrived yet.

"Oh! Leon, you finally made it! Martine-sama, it is an honor to have you here."

"I belong to the Magic Tool Research Club, so of course I would come. This is a school, so you don't need to be quite so formal."

"Understood. Thank you very much."

Longo-sensei, you shouldn't keep glancing at me while you're talking to Martine-sama. He really is a magic-tool fanatic.

"Longo-sensei, how did the switch function turn out?"

"Perfect! Take a look at this magic tool. I made it in the shape you described, Leon. However, there was a problem with the magic stone not staying in contact with the magic iron, so I improved that part."

I see. If two objects of exactly the same weight were placed on a seesaw, it would remain level. Even if you pushed one side down, it would return to level once you let go.

"I made it so the board shifts slightly toward whichever side is pressed. If you press the right side, the board shifts slightly to the right, making that side heavier, so it won't return to level even when you stop pressing it. The same applies when you press the other side."

Oh! This really won't return to level. It's like the fulcrum of the seesaw moves. However, with this design, it would be difficult to install the switch function horizontally on a wall or something similar.

Well, that's not really a problem. It's basically meant to be attached to magic tools, and fitting it into a wall would make replacing the magic stone difficult.

More importantly, this looks quite intricate to me. I wonder if blacksmithing techniques are that advanced in this world. Hmm... I don't really know, but if they are, then there shouldn't be a problem.

"What a wonderful function. Thank you for improving it as well."

"Of course! Would you try pressing the switch?"

"Is it all right for me to press it?"

"You came up with it, after all."

"Then, please allow me to press it."

I gently placed my hand on the switch and pressed the right side. We had decided to attach the magic stone to the right side.

It was very easy to press, and the board slid slightly to the right and locked into place. The clink of the magic stone touching the magic iron was rather pleasant.

I looked up and saw that the light orb was properly illuminating the room.

This is convenient. I no longer have to worry about losing the magic stone, and it's much easier than having to fit it into place every time.

This time, I pressed the left side. Just as before, it locked into place on the left, and the light orb went out. Perfect!

"It's perfect!"

"I told you so! Then we'll go register the technology on the next Recovery Day. We'll also register an improved magic-tool version of the light orb that day."

Can the technology really be registered under my name alone? And are we registering the light orb as a magic tool too?

"You said the technology registration would be under my name, but the improvements were made by you and the blacksmith. Wouldn't it be better for the three of us to register it together?"

"No, things like this are registered under the person who came up with the original idea. The initial concept is what matters. Once you have that, anyone can make improvements."

Is that so...? Well, if that's the rule, I'll gratefully register it.

"I see. In that case, I'll gratefully register it. Also, are we registering the light orb as a magic tool? I thought light orbs had already been registered."

"Yes. When an existing magic tool is improved, the improved version can be registered, and you can receive thirty percent of the usage fees. That is, if it is recognized as a useful improvement."

So there was a system like that, too. It's quite well organized. I suppose it would be all right to register the improved version of the magic tool... Hmm, but I feel like I should check with Richard-sama first. I'll ask him next time, including about the technology registration.

"I didn't know such a system existed. I would like to request that registration as well, but would it be all right if I did so after confirming that it can be registered under my name?"

"Of course. Come back with confirmation by the day of the registration. You should also decide what to do if it isn't allowed. Then shall we meet in front of the Royal Academy's main gate on the Recovery Day?"

"Yes. What time should we meet?"

"Any time is fine with me."

Hmm... I was planning to run my first food stall with Ronnie on the Recovery Day. Even if the stall opened in the afternoon, I wanted to buy everything we needed beforehand, so the earlier we went, the better.

"I would prefer to go as early as possible, but how long will the registration take?"

"It should take about thirty minutes. Registration begins at nine, so going any earlier would be pointless."

"In that case, shall we meet in front of the main gate at nine?"

"Yes, that will be fine."

"Understood. I look forward to working with you."

Great! If we met at that time, we would probably finish shortly after ten, leaving me time to shop. It was my first day off since starting school, but it looked like it was going to be quite busy...

"Leon, have you finished your discussion? If so, may I try pressing the switch too?"

When Martine-sama spoke to me, I realized that I had gotten too absorbed in my conversation with Longo-sensei.

Thinking I was in trouble, I hurriedly turned toward Martine-sama and saw her at another table, apparently discussing the Purification magic tool with the two senpai. They looked extremely nervous.

I suppose they still weren't used to this. Sorry for leaving you two on your own, senpai...

"Yes. I would be happy to hear what you think."

I put on a natural smile as I said that to Martine-sama. My smile didn't twitch this time. Maybe I was getting better at keeping a poker face!

"Understood."

"This is a light orb with the switch function. Pressing the right side makes the light orb appear, while pressing the left side makes it disappear."

As I carried it over to Martine-sama and explained, the two senpai watched with interest. I should let them try it, too.

"Martine, is that the light orb with the switch function?"

Whoa... I suddenly heard a voice directly behind me. It startled me badly.

When I turned around, I saw Stefan and Lucien. I hadn't even noticed them enter the room.

"Brother, that's right. I was just about to try it."

"Is that so? Then go ahead."

"Understood."

When Martine-sama pressed the switch, the light orb appeared just as it had before.

"Oh, this is convenient. Martine, try turning off the light orb."

"Yes. Oh my, it went out right away. This is extremely convenient. The maids always seem to have such a difficult time removing the light orbs."

"This is amazing. It will make things much more convenient."

Stefan-sama took the magic tool in his hands with interest and switched it on and off repeatedly.

"Stefan-sama, may I try pressing it too?"

Lucien called out from beside him. His eyes were sparkling, so apparently he couldn't hold back his curiosity.

Stefan handed the magic tool to Lucien with a slight wry smile.

"Oh! This is amazing. I believe this will make things much more convenient. Shouldn't we install it in the party hall as soon as possible?"

"That is true. I've heard that removing the magic stones from that chandelier is extremely hard work."

Is there a large chandelier in the party hall? If it's as large as the one I was imagining, attaching and removing the magic stones one by one would be far too much work.

However, using this magic tool to light a chandelier might be quite difficult... I would have to make Light appear in the exact right places.

Maybe we'd have to give up on lighting each part of the chandelier individually and instead make the whole thing glow at once. Well, I probably don't need to worry about that.

"Everyone, what do you think of this magic tool?"

"Longo-sensei, I think it's wonderful. Being able to operate a light orb near the ceiling simply by removing a magic stone right at hand is fantastic, and I believe this switch function will be extremely useful as well. It should be a feature we install in other magic tools, such as flush toilets and water faucets."

"I'm glad you're satisfied with it. We're going to register it on the next Recovery Day, so I expect it will spread quickly."

"Then I look forward to that day."

Stefan-sama seemed satisfied for the moment and placed the magic tool on the table. The senpai had been fidgeting, eager to try it, so I carried the magic tool over to them.

"Miguel-sama, Loic-sama, would you try it and tell me what you think?"

"O-oh, are we really the right people?"

"Yes. I would like to hear your opinions too, senpai."

"All right."

The senpai picked up the magic tool with curiosity in their eyes and switched it on and off repeatedly.

"This is incredible! It will make every magic tool more convenient! It's revolutionary!"

Miguel-senpai said that in a burst of excitement, clenching his fists as he stood up. Oh, wow... He was a magic-tool fanatic too.

"Miguel...! You're being too loud!"

"Loic! You try it too! It's a marvelous invention! This is... ngh!"

Realizing that Miguel-senpai wasn't going to calm down, Loic-senpai covered his mouth with one hand.

Loic-senpai, Miguel-senpai looks like he's having a really hard time breathing. Is he all right? Did you cover his nose too?

"Phew... Loic! Were you trying to kill me!?"

"Because you were being so loud."

At that point, Miguel-senpai finally realized that everyone was staring at him and turned pale.

"I-I'm terribly sorry!"

"It's fine. So the switch function was good, then?"

Stefan forcibly steered the conversation back on track.

"Y-yes! The switch function is truly wonderful. I believe this invention will make every magic tool more convenient."

"Leon, it looks like everyone will accept it. That's good."

"Yes. I'm very happy."

Everyone's reaction was quite positive, so it looked like the invention would spread. The people who made it would have more work, but I hoped they would do their best.

"Then I will carefully keep this magic tool until the Recovery Day."

"Yes. Thank you."

"Then I will take my leave. If you need anything, please come to my room."

Longo-sensei said that and left the classroom. We finished earlier than expected. I should have enough time to go to the training grounds!

"Lucien-sama, I have something I want to do as well. May I step out for a while? I will return by the time you are ready to leave, Lucien-sama."

"What is it? Shall I come with you?"

"No, it isn't important enough for you to come along, Lucien-sama. I can go by myself."

"I see. In that case, all right, but be careful."

"Understood."

I said goodbye to everyone, left the classroom, and headed to the magic training grounds.