Volume 1 - Chapter 23 – RETURN TO THE LABORATORY (1/2)

「Aa, it feels kind of nostalgic」

Night, with Hanna and Martha asleep, Jin and the 《Automata》 Reiko returned to the 《Magi Craft Meister》 base, the research facility.

「It’s bright even though it’s night… there are magic lamps, huh」

The important areas inside the research facility are furnished with magic lamps, and because the 《Automata》 had been doing the maintenance all this time, the research facility’s equipment were adequately functional.

Because of that, the 《Automata》 had passed its life of service, and had once collapsed in front of Jin. Jin then repaired it, or rather remodeled it with magic into the current Reiko.

「Well then… to start with, shall I upgrade Reiko?」

「Is that fine?」

「Aa, I’ll be in your care in the future after this… Lie down over there」

「Okay, thank you very much」

In the room Reiko was remodeled, Reiko laid on the same bench.

「I’ll cut your magic power temporarily」

「Understood」

When the 《Magic Drive》 stopped, Reiko’s operation smoothly stopped. Since Jin had already come up with an upgrade plan for Reiko in his head, he immediately collected materials.

「Okay, this looks good」

In the storehouse there was a large quantity of 《Mana Material》 stored, from them there were two beautiful 《Magic Obsidian》 he picked out.

Next he took out 《Magic Quartz》, two of them together for the eyes. To connect them, he wrote down a 《Magic Formula》 he devised.

「Alright, magic detection, and life detection. Also long distance, magnification, night vision, see through」

Once again by adding absurd features the upgrade was finished. Then again.

「Somehow, it feels like some parts have slightly deteriorated. I might as well 《Reinforce》 it」

Jin felt that the joints of the arms and legs were slightly worn out.

「The 《Light Silver》 can’t keep up with Reiko’s power after all, I’ll have to change it to 《Light Mithril》」

The shape of the frame could be left as, changing it to a stronger material, further coating it with a thin film of Adamantite on the exterior. With this, the durability increased by many times.

「There was too much muscles because I was in a hurry that time. But I might as well take the opportunity to thin the strands of 《Magic Fibre》 to increase the number of them. With this the flexibility should increase and the durability should improve」

It was same as a wire rope made by twisting together thin steel wire.

「I feel like this material wasn’t here before… aa, it’s the wing of the 《Sham Dragon》 Reiko had defeated. The 《Magic Skin》 is just perfect for skin」

Jin finished all of the upgrades he wanted to do in about 4 hours. Though the external appearance had not changed at all, the insides could be said to be powered up.

「Alright, Reiko, 《Wake Up》!」 ⚑

The 《Magic Drive》 restarted. She immediately woke up as there was enough magic power used this time.

「Father」

「Reiko, how’s your condition?」

Reiko got up and landed on the floor. For a little while, she moved little by little to check the condition of her body,

「It’s very good. Thank you very much」

She says with a bow.

「I see, that’s good. Then, we’ll return to the village today」

When Jin said that, Reiko,

「Eh? Weren’t you going to come stay here?」

「No, there’s my promise with Hanna, and most importantly, there’s no food or water here…」

From Jin’s words, Reiko received some shock,

「T-That’s right… Father needs to eat…」

and she felt down. While Jin was surprised that the 《Automata》 grew such feelings,

「Aa, because of that, we’ll go back and forth between the village and here, you’ll need to adjust to living in this environment」

「… okay, I’ll do my best」

So using the 《Warp Gate》, Jin and Reiko returned to Kaina Village. Jin quietly slipped into his own bed, with Reiko standing beside it. To that Reiko, Jin,

「Hey, I’ll feel restless if you stand there」

But Reiko,

「However, this is because if something terrible were to happen to Father. Also, it is unnecessary to concern yourself with me as I do not tire」

「Then are the very least, please sit on the chair」

「But…」

「Listen to what I say」

「…understood」

After such an exchange, Jin finally got a short sleep.

The next morning.

Hanna came to wake up Jin who overslept due to going to the laboratory last night. But.

「Father is still sleeping」

She was obstructed by Reiko. Hanna,

「Move. Because breakfast is ready I need to wake up Onii-chan」

「Please let him sleep for a little longer」

「The food is done!」

「Lack of sleep is not good for his health」