Volume 9 - Chapter 1 – Research Starts (2/2)

While being supported by Laozi, they put together the theory. With Laozi’s processing power it was trivial to do something like construct the theory while experimenting with Elradrite.

Then Ann came along. Until now, she had been working together with Laozi’s Automata. Specifically, she was checking the ideas and plans Laozi suggested.

Ann whose train of thought was different was useful in a time like this. However, as her processing power was remarkably lower than Laozi’s, she was inevitably a bottleneck on how much time it took.

“Master, Elder Sister, what would you like me to do?”

Lately Ann had not hesitated to call Reiko her ‘Elder Sister’. Although from outward appearances the exact opposite was true.

Then Jin explained things to Ann too. She then said,

“It’s necessary decide on a system of coordinates to point at a specific point in space, isn’t it?”

Ann was capable of logical thinking like this. Incidentally Jin did things by intuition, and so Reiko and Laozi had inherited that from him.

“I see, that’s definitely true.”

Jin then reminisced about the lessons he had taken in high school. When you speak of three-dimensional coordinate systems, the first one that comes to mind is the XYZ coordinate system. Width, height, and length.

“There was something else too, if I recall correctly it was the polar coordinate system or something like that. Azimuth, altitude, and length, was it.”

The terminology was dubious, but the way of thinking was correct.

“In this situation it’s probably better to use the polar coordinate system and use the sending side as the origin.”

Using the sending Warp Gate as the origin, just determining the distance, direction, and altitude (angle) would be enough.

“In that case, it’s necessary to convert the coordinates of already-known locations to polar coordinates, isn’t it.”

Ann also gave advice on the necessary matters.

“Yeah, an exclusive arithmetic unit…A Control Core will be necessary.”

In this way a control system was fully planned out.

However, what was essential was whether or not one could materialize in the destination or not.

According to Jin’s understanding, the theory behind Warp Gates was that they linked together two points in space. By no means did he plan to disassemble the atoms and reconstruct them at the destination.

“Right, the receiving Warp Gate’s primary purpose is as a marker, hmm. So let’s build something that can recognize a location from a distance. In other words, that would make the receiving side not need any components.”

The receiving side and the sending side had identical devices, it was simply that on a return trip the receiving side became the sending side.

“With one-way travel a receiving component isn’t needed. So then if the magic formation or Magi Formula that worked as the landmark could be remotely controlled…”

Jin pondered the problem frantically.

“Father, isn’t determining the distance the hardest problem?”

Reiko spoke.

Certainly, he understood that the direction could be determined intuitively like when shooting with the railgun. But, the distance.

“You’re right. Right now there’s three ways to consider. One is the intersection of straight lines coming from two points.”

Jin said.

“That, and the amount of Magic Energy the sending side uses.”

Reiko said. Then,

“And the point where attracting and repelling forces meet, right?”

Ann remarked with a clear voice. It was the same principle as that of the [Barrier].

“In any case, long distances will be difficult, huh. I guess it’s necessary to start experimenting with distances that are within sight.”

It seemed to be impossible to, for example, suddenly warp from Hourai Island to Celuroa Kingdom.

Jin then began building a prototype.

He used a normal Warp Gate with some remodeling as the sending side.

Usually, it would be linked to the receiving Warp Gate with a faint Magic Energy connection. Instead of this weak connection, a magic formation would be configured to use large amounts of Magic Energy to create the marker point.

“We’re to determine just how far we can simplify that magic formation, right?”

While receiving Ann’s advice, the first prototype was finished just past noon.

Jin warped to Kunlun Island where Elsa was waiting to have lunch. Reiko came with him, and Ann stayed to do the pre-trial checks.

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“Jin-nii, come in. Thanks for saving Rai-nii last night. Because of that? You’re a little late today, no?”

“Oh, I was kind of in the middle of something.”

After Jin’s excuse Elsa gave him a glare.

“Jin-nii, you really are obsessed with craftsmanship.”

She said. Reiko then informed Elsa.

“Even though Father made Elsa-san wait for him, please have him eat properly. Otherwise he’ll quietly skip two meals without thinking. Because it looks like today is going to be an all-nighter.”

“Jin-nii, that’s no good. It’s bad for your health.”

After being criticized by both Reiko and Elsa, Jin scratched his head and,

“A-alright, I’ll be careful.”

He apologized.

He then briefly told Elsa about last night. Jin of course stayed silent about getting struck.