#35. I Pushed It In

The reason I wanted to create the new material was from the very beginning related to the magitech device.

Something that held more mana than existing mana stones was required.

Mana is a particle. Therefore, it possesses mass.

Let’s assume the power mana holds is called ‘mana force’. Mana force is a type of ‘energy’, acting as the driving force for magic, creating anything.

The particle collision I performed that day was similar to nuclear fusion in the Earth’s core.

Due to the collision of mana particles, the original mana was reborn into a heavier particle, and the mass lost at that moment created immense energy.

That’s right.

Energy.

Simultaneously, it was also ‘mana force’.

This stone is the result of that mana force re-solidifying.

In a word, it’s ‘pure mana’.

[You believe this can serve the same purpose as a mana stone?]

“If my theory is correct, yes.”

[…Honestly, that’s impressive. To extrapolate that far on your own.]

I shrugged.

“Save the praise for later, we have more important things to do now.”

A machine different from the one Professor Rachel had made.

It looks quite shoddy, but the very fact that it was completed in these harsh conditions is remarkable.

I inserted the ‘mana force stone’ into the machine. The energy of blue mana spreads throughout the entire device. This is a characteristic of the machines I create.

“As expected.”

My theory was correct.

The ‘teleportation device’, which previously couldn’t operate, began to function properly.

All thanks to the immense power contained within the mana force stone.

“Professor Rachel would be amazed if she saw this.”

I mumbled to myself, feeling a sense of accomplishment.

I wonder if the Professors are doing well.

I’ll be able to see them soon, right?

“Hey, you said we’d be seeing it soon?”

The demon, tired of waiting, moved closer to the bars of the cell.

I stared blankly at the demon, then simply gave a bright smile.

“You want a bomb, correct?”

I extracted two mana particles from my body.

“It’s not exactly a bomb, but I’ll show you something similar.”

“What are you talking about? We ordered a bomb—”

The demon paused.

He must have noticed the anomaly occurring on my palm.

“Did you know?”

Setting the particles’ trajectory.

Accelerating, then colliding.

“Mana can also undergo fusion.”

As I said before, the loss of mass created when two particles merge creates tremendous energy.

“Do you think you can stop this?”

“Well then, we’ll be on our way.”

The teleportation device activated.

Now, this machine would transfer the designated individuals to the designated location.

“Bye!”

The moment I said my farewell, we vanished from the minds’ sight.

And they would witness it.

The collision of particles.

*

“We’re screwed…”

Aurora muttered softly, immediately after Rain Ortiz disappeared.

Vanished right before her eyes?

She had no recollection of neglecting her surveillance.

Besides, this was a magic-forbidden zone.

Just what kind of trickery…?

“N-Now’s not the time for this.”

They had to retrieve them, quickly.

Aurora had already experienced one failure.

Her defeat at the hands of Rachel Arte was that failure.

If she couldn’t complete this mission either…

Damn it all.

She urgently directed the minds.

“Search the vicinity of the castle, comb every inch!”

However.

“O-Our Lady Aurora.”

The minds didn’t move.

She knew immediately why they had frozen.

The immense energy she felt behind her. Something dangerous was there.

“This is…”

Just what is this?

A gigantic blue sphere.

Slowly, very slowly, it was growing.

Instinctively, she knew.

She had to run.

“Shit…!”

Aurora pushed the minds aside, moving out of the way.

She had to get away from the castle, now. With her physical abilities, she could definitely escape—

The thought was cut short there.

Of course. No human could think with their brain evaporated.

The ‘blue something’ that was steadily growing suddenly began to expand rapidly, destroying its surroundings and widening its territory.

Rain Ortiz had christened this phenomenon the ‘Expansion Phase,’ but knew nothing of what followed. Naturally so, since the Expansion Phase was always suppressed.

Though in this case, ignorance was bliss.

In an instant, the contracted blue sphere unleashed a titanic explosion.

The intense light would blind any who dared to witness it.

No, before blindness came, it would erase their very form.

A calamity. There was no other way to describe it.

On this cliff, where the abandoned castle once stood, now not a single trace remained. A clean annihilation.

Soon enough, the maps would be redrawn.

*

The Academy was safe.

Thanks to the valiant efforts of Professor Rachel, and the other instructors, all the Mind beings had been driven back.

“Rain!”

Professor Rachel rushed to embrace me the moment I returned.

I was taken aback by the rather disconcerting sensation against my chest.

Professor Felliana and Professor Meriel were present as well.

“We were so frightened, wondering what had become of you, Rain…”

“You wound me, Professor. Don’t you trust me?”

“Is this a matter of trust, Rain?”

In the meantime, the Academy had declared me missing.

An unprecedented situation, the loss of a student, had created a somber mood.

“We’re so glad you’re back.”

Anyway, after a long time, I was able to return here.

“More importantly, who are they…?”

“Ah, these are the people who were abducted with you. Would it be possible for the Academy to provide them sanctuary for a while?”

“As long as their identities can be verified, I see no reason why not.”

Professor Rachel grasped both of their arms.

“I’ll be right back. Rain, you rest!”

With those words, Professor Rachel vanished via space-warping magic.

I gazed at the teleportation device in my hand.

I wanted to introduce it.

I’ll have to do it later.

“…Shall I go see what happened?”

Now that the situation had stabilized, I suddenly wondered what had become of the Solar Cult’s base.

Had they suppressed the Expansion? If successful, there would be another Mana Stone.

Conversely, if they failed…

“Ah, I can’t resist.”

Unable to overcome the burgeoning thirst for exploration, I activated the teleportation device.

The coordinates were…

A little distance from the castle.

“Um, Rain… There’s something I wanted to say…”

“Huh?”

Mid-stride, Meriel spoke, but.

*Whirr*.

Alas, there was no chance to answer.

“…Perhaps we can converse later.”

Regardless, what a convenient contraption. With a simple *click*, one can traverse here and there; if I were to sell this back on Earth, I dare say my fortunes as an entrepreneur would skyrocket.

Though mass production is, regrettably, beyond our grasp.

“Hmm?”

Putting aside such idle thoughts, I sought to ascertain the state of the abandoned castle.

“What is this?”

But the castle I recalled was nowhere to be seen, replaced by what could only be described as a colossal crater.

…Did I input the coordinates incorrectly? No, these were the coordinates I requested from Akasha.

“Could it be….”

A crater spanning no less than three kilometers in area.

The immense surge of mana emanating from this land.

It dawned on me.

This was no foolish blunder.

“I was the one who did this…?”

The coordinates were properly set, and the teleporter functioned as intended.

It was only the ‘location’ that differed from before.

The castle, utterly annihilated without a trace, signifying the utter downfall of the Solar Assembly.

[More precisely, the Imperial Branch. They have tentacles spread across the entire continent.]

“Is that so.”

Whatever the case, the fact remained that most of the Imperial demons had perished.

“…Somehow, it doesn’t quite register.”

I had committed mass slaughter.

Perhaps it’s because those who died were lower than vermin, but I felt no ‘shock of the first kill’.

“Perhaps… Am I some sort of psychopath?”

[Quit talking nonsense.]

“Understood.”

Truth be told, a disquiet stirred within me.

The thought that there might have been good people amongst them crossed my mind.

The absence of any profound emotion likely stemmed from not witnessing their demise directly.

This sight, where the very terrain had been obliterated, felt profoundly surreal.

“Perhaps this will haunt my dreams.”

I hoped this composure would endure.

“Let us return now.”

I reactivated the teleporter.

The machine shuddered, emitting a blue aura, and soon my vision flickered.

Then, I opened my eyes once more.

“Huh?! You’re back again?!”

It was the Academy.

Professor Meriel’s boisterous voice rang out.

She must have been waiting here after I vanished.

“Ahem, Student Lane? If you’re not too busy, I’d like a word… “

“Ah, that’s right!! Student Lane!”

Professor Meriel tried to speak again, but…

Wasn’t it said that the loudest voice wins?

Professor Rachel’s voice, running from afar, drowned her out.

“……”

Professor Meriel, missing her chance, simply walked away.

“The Empire found out the mine’s base of operations.”

“…Base of operations?”

“Yes! I heard they were going to lead an army to wipe them out soon, and it’s today.”

This was good news.

Very good news, but…

“By any chance, are you talking about the abandoned castle?”

“Ah, Student Lane was kidnapped, so you might know. That’s the one.”

I suddenly felt rather awkward.

I spoke in a bewildered voice.

“About that… I already flattened it.”