The next day, Sunday, after Herta used the Chat Group to send Little Herta No. 001 to White Eagle, she began working on the weapon she planned to give Lily: the so-called Sword of Promised Victory.
Crafting this thing was either laughably simple or... still laughably simple.
It didn't require any complex magical designs. In mere seconds, Herta conceived a spell called Magic Power Release.
As the name suggested, this spell created a magical vent, allowing the caster to unleash their entire store of Magic Power in a single, devastating burst, effectively creating a Light Beam effect.
Frankly, even an average university professor in Great Britain could probably design the same spell, but almost no one in their right mind would ever do it.
The cost-effectiveness was abysmal. With such vast reserves of Magic Power, why waste it all in one go? Why not use a more versatile spell instead?
This action was akin to detonating yourself the moment a battle began—beyond absurd, it was the epitome of ludicrous. It wasn't just impractical; it was utterly ridiculous, defying all logic.
Whether it could kill the opponent was beside the point; after using this magic, the user would be completely drained of combat ability.
But this wasn't a major problem for Herta. She had slightly modified her previously designed "Energy Module"—the device installed within the Herta Puppet's body. Magic Power, after all, was simply another form of energy, and any form of energy could naturally be converted into another.
Take a water heater, for example, which converts electrical energy into thermal energy. Herta's device converted "electrical energy" into "Magic Power." Weren't they essentially the same thing?
In any case, Herta resolved the energy conversion issue in just over ten minutes, after a few casual experiments. The current conversion efficiency was somewhat concerning, at only about 40%. This meant that 60% of the energy would be lost during the conversion process.
However, the "Energy Module" stored an absurd amount of energy—equivalent to a city's entire monthly consumption. Firing off a few Light Beams would be child's play.
Using the modified Energy Module as its core, Herta began crafting the blade of the Sword of Promised Victory, prioritizing beauty and coolness above all else.
In just half a day, a finished product materialized in her hands.
It's often said that a true sword must be forged through countless hammer blows. Herta's blade, however, hadn't undergone such arduous forging; instead, it had been assembled piece by piece.
Indeed, the sword was even hollow inside. Gazing at her creation, Herta couldn't help but mutter to herself, "Does this feel more like a cosplay prop or a buildable toy?"
It was like a toy sword that lit up and made cool sound effects at the push of a button.
The only difference was that the light emitted by this "toy" could actually hurt someone.
Of course, the Sword of Promised Victory wasn't without its flaws. It couldn't be used for actual swordplay like a real blade. While it wasn't made of plastic, it wasn't metal either. Instead, it was crafted from a new material Herta had casually concocted, designed for effective Magic Power conduction.
In short, it wasn't very durable. A forceful strike would likely shatter it.
That afternoon, Herta presented the completed Sword of Promised Victory to Lily. Lily stared at the gleaming golden blade, her face a picture of utter bewilderment. "Teacher Herta, what is this...?"
"It's the magic wand I made for you!" Herta declared.
Lily blinked, completely bewildered. She turned the sword over, examining it from every angle, but couldn't find a single trace of a wand's silhouette. Meanwhile, Herta was already explaining how to use it. She could have easily installed a button that would fire the weapon instantly, but that would have been far too boring. So, she added a touch of dramatic flair.
"The appearance is just for show," Herta said. "The real focus is on the core function of this sword... I mean, this wand!"
As she spoke, Herta moved behind Lily and grasped her wrists, guiding her hands into the proper grip. "Your left hand goes here, and your right hand here. Remember, especially your thumbs—press them firmly against these spots on the hilt."
Lily's body stiffened instantly, acutely aware of Herta's warm breath on the back of her neck and the faint, pleasant scent emanating from her. Stuttering, she managed to say, "I... I understand!"
It was no exaggeration to say that Lily had never been so close to anyone other than her mother before—they were practically touching!
But wasn't this normal between friends? Throughout middle and high school, Lily had seen countless pairs of girls or boys holding hands on their way to the restroom.
Before she could fully process the sensation, Herta stepped back after teaching Lily the proper grip. The Sword of Promised Victory naturally had a "lock"; after all, they couldn't just let anyone pick it up and start blasting light beams, could they?
This lock was Lily's fingerprint. She had to press her thumb against a designated spot for the sword to function properly.
Completely oblivious to the young girl's fluttering heart, Herta continued, "Now, position your hands in front of your right shoulder. Step forward with your left foot into a horse stance. Shout 'Excalibur!' at the top of your lungs and swing the weapon at your opponent. The Magic Wand will then release a spell that ensures your victory."
After taking several deep breaths to calm herself, Lily asked, puzzled, "A magic that grants victory?"
What a bizarre description! Normally, spells are described as "unleashing a fireball to attack the enemy" or "summoning ice chains to bind the foe." But Lily pondered this for ages and still couldn't grasp what it meant to "cast a spell that makes you win."
Could it be a wish-granting spell? she wondered. One that instantly fulfills your desire the moment it's cast, forcing your opponent to surrender outright?
"Teacher Herta," Lily asked, "what exactly is this...?"
Herta simply wagged her index finger mysteriously. "You'll find out during the exam," she said. "But remember, you can only use it there! Don't try it anywhere else!"
Now Lily was eagerly anticipating the exam, imagining the expressions on her face, her opponent's, and the invigilator's when the time came.