Chapter 58: Scarcity (2) [Magical Engineering Journal: New Release - "Aura Sphere," Presenting a New Paradigm for Knight Formulas]
"Aura Sphere" was officially published. While magical engineers praised it as a "novel application of Aura Shields," the Empire's knights remained indifferent. They were, by nature, a group conservative toward change.
However, the fact that the author was Maximilian drew interest from a few.
Some sought it out to criticize what they assumed was a high-born brat "putting on airs," others out of mere curiosity, and the Sentinel knight, Chiron, hoped to find common ground with Maximilian...
"That will be 40,000 dollars."
The price, however, was far steeper than expected. Even the identity verification process was unnecessarily rigorous.
"...40,000?"
"Yes."
Chiron suppressed a sigh.
Perhaps a person's character revealed itself in such things—the delusion that any formula one devised must be noble, special, and grand.
But it couldn't be helped. An Ebenholtz was certainly entitled to such arrogance; in fact, it was expected.
Chiron decided to exploit that very opening.
Even if this "Aura Sphere" or whatever turned out to be a failure, if he mastered it and offered even empty praise, that too was politics. It would allow him to grow closer to the House of Ebenholtz.
"Is there no knight's discount?"
"With the 20% discount applied, the total is 40,000."
"Tsk."
Chiron purchased the manual and returned to his mansion.
He sat in his study and opened the book, only to find it protected by a mana lock.
"What in the..."
It was absurd, but he injected his mana to release the security.
[To fully utilize this formula, a mana stone with a purity of 96% or higher is mandatory.]
The very first page demanded a high-purity mana stone. A 96% stone cost roughly 200,000 to 300,000 dollars, meaning this was already a 240,000-dollar formula at minimum.
Chiron let out a hollow laugh and turned the page.
* * *
1. Introduction
Mana is a powerful force granted to humanity, yet it is a double-edged sword that is difficult to master...
Through long years of discipline and study, the knights of the Empire utilize Aura to shroud their bodies, making them the masters of the battlefield. However, on the battlefields of the future that we will inevitably face, overwhelming firepower will arrive—firepower that current Aura Shields alone cannot withstand.
(Omitted)
* * *
Chiron was a knight with a relentless drive for self-improvement. He poured every spare moment into bettering himself, whether through politics, training, or reading.
Among his peers, he was particularly exceptional in his ability to manipulate mana—that is, in the technical aspect of formulas.
In truth, this was a characteristic of nouveau riche families. Because his family's ancestral swordsmanship lacked depth, they had no choice but to supplement that deficiency with "mana," information on which was widely available to the public.
Such individuals were called "formula-type knights."
Regardless, Chiron was an expert who was more serious about formulas than almost any other knight.
"...?"
Because of his expertise, he began reading with casual indifference, but soon found himself completely absorbed.
Chiron devoured the mana equations of "Aura Sphere." Their excellence didn't necessarily pierce the profound truths of mana or shake the very foundations of its laws... but they were close. At a glance, it seemed like a heap of complex and difficult circuits, but it was a formula imbued with subtle brilliance.
Countless mana equations were combined cleanly and elegantly. It was a work of art, as if the circuits had been carved with a master's chisel.
Thud.
Chiron suddenly closed the manual. He was far from finished, but he rushed outside immediately.
He got into his car, drove through the streets where evening had already fallen, and arrived at the magical formula shop.
"What? Sold out?"
"Yes."
But they were already gone.
"Who bought them?"
"...Pardon? Other knights bought them all."
"When is the next shipment?"
"Uh... I heard the date hasn't been set yet."
"What does that mean?!"
Chiron shouted before he could stop himself.
"The... the author, the knight himself, is directly controlling the supply..."
"..."
If it was Maximilian's will, there was nothing he could say.
"Contact me at this number the moment they come in."
"Ah, yes."
Chiron left his terminal number and returned to his mansion.
Sitting in his chair, he stared intently at the manual.
"Aura Sphere..."
He could feel the undeniable utility of the theory contained within. It went without saying it would be useful on the battlefield, but it was also a formula that could grant a significant advantage in duels.
Chiron sensed a new trend.
The "Spherical Aura" would undoubtedly become a sensation. It would gain popularity not just among knights, but also among mages who were always concerned for their own safety.
...And so, the following morning.
Chiron arrived in front of Maximilian's office. He leaned against the wall for a moment, rehearsing what to say.
'Max.'
No. Calling him Max out of the blue might cause offense.
'Maximilian... No, would it be alright if I called you Max?'
He would use a cushion like that.
'I saw that your theoretical manual, "Aura Sphere," was released. I'm currently reading and learning from it. It's quite magnificent.'
Would Maximilian be grateful for the praise?
'However, there is one problem.'
If he asked what the problem was...
'It's already sold out. I'm sure the other knights in the order would want to learn it as well. If possible... could I purchase a few more copies?'
Chiron wasn't alone. He was a leader of a faction. Because he knew the shortcomings of his lineage, he had to take care of his subordinates all the more.
"Good."
Nodding to himself, he finally opened the door to Maximilian's office.
"Ma...?"
It was empty.
"Oh, right."
Maximilian's office had recently been moved to the third floor.
It was a promotion of sorts.
"...Ha."
Chiron let out a dry laugh.
Look at me. It seemed he had gotten nervous for no reason.
No matter if he was an Ebenholtz, Maximilian was only a twenty-one-year-old knight. There was no need to treat him like a superior. In terms of seniority as a knight, there was a thirteen-year gap between them.
"Hahahaha."
He forced a relaxed laugh and climbed the stairs again.
* * *
After the Head-Eater incident, my office received an upgrade.
The entrance had an administrative space where two clerks worked, and following the inner hallway led to my private office. It was smaller than the senior knights' offices, but it was exactly what one would imagine when they thought of a "knight's office."
I liked it quite a bit.
"I see. You're asking about Aura Sphere?"
The first guest in my new office was Chiron. He was here because of the "Aura Sphere" manual released this week.
"I heard only ten copies were sent to the bookstores."
"Yes. I intentionally limited the supply."
I planned to let word of mouth spread first, then adjust the supply according to demand.
"I suppose so. It's a formula well worth the effort."
"Thank you."
"That being said... there's a problem."
I smirked. Chiron was a quick study in many ways.
"Do you happen to need a few more copies of the manual?"
"...Is that possible?"
"Tell me how many you need first."
Chiron seemed to count his subordinates in his head for a moment.
He likely had many mouths to feed. Even if there were only fifteen, that would be 600,000 dollars. My sense of money might be a bit warped, but 600,000 dollars was a fortune equivalent to Chiron's annual salary.
Of course, he'd have more with bonuses and other perks.
"For now, ten copies should suffice."
"Understood. I can provide ten copies. Come back in about two weeks."
Chiron's leg bounced slightly under his chair.
"Thank you. Ahem. If you ever need a favor in the future, feel free to—"
"By the way, have you purchased the high-purity mana stones?"
"No. Not yet. Is there a specific brand you recommend?"
"No. As long as the purity is 96% or higher, any will do, but..."
I pulled my personal mana stone from my coat.
It was a top-purity stone the size of a cube that fit in my palm, with "Mana Carving" personally engraved by Lorenzo. Since its purity was 99%, it emitted a blue light all on its own.
"I use this dedicated mana stone."
"..."
Chiron's face went blank as he stared at it.
"Th-this is a mana stone?"
"Yes. It has mana carving engraved to amplify the 'Aura Sphere.' It's top-purity, the definition of high-end."
"It's beautiful. How much does it cost?"
"For something of this quality, I'd say about four to five million?"
"Four million...?"
"Yes. It's a rarity; only two or three are produced a year. Even the tier below it, the Premium grade, would cost around two million dollars."
Chiron gazed at my mana stone cube with shimmering eyes. His pupils were tinted blue, and a flush even rose to his cheeks.
"Then, I'll have my clerk deliver the ten copies to you in two weeks."
I retrieved the cube. Chiron looked disappointed to see it go.
"As for the mana stones, you can inquire about them later. I happen to run a workshop."
If the utility of "Aura Sphere" was proven, these premium mana stones would sell easily even at one or two million apiece. Noble knights had plenty of money.
If I sold them to just a hundred people, that would be 100 to 200 million dollars. Not a bad business.
"No. Rather than inquiring later, I'd like to make a reservation right now."
Chiron pulled a checkbook from his inner pocket and scribbled out two million dollars.
"For a Premium one."
As expected, he was a man of significant means.
* * *
Just as I expected, in less than two weeks, "Aura Sphere" was getting a reaction. The theoretical manual itself had long been out of stock, and rumors were circulating that knights across the Empire were actively searching for it.
"Max. It's an escort mission."
Julian visited me to deliver a new assignment.
Escorting wasn't exactly my specialty, but...
"It's already that season, I see."
"Indeed."
There was a famous, yet utterly pointless, event in the Empire reserved for nobles.
Commonly known as—"Crossing the Forest."
It was an imperial event where participants crossed the "Ertion Forest," which the founder of the imperial family was said to have traversed barehanded. In reality, it was a loyalty test for the nobility. In the past, emperors used to assassinate nobles they disliked within that forest.
Nowadays, it had been toned down significantly and had long since devolved into a sort of marathon for noble socializing.
"You'll probably find out who you're escorting once you're at the forest."
"Understood."
From my perspective, it was frustrating. Even as the nation's fortunes were declining, they couldn't give up such an event.
This was why the Empire was doomed to fall.
"Well then, see you then."
"...Ah, Sir Julian."
I pulled a copy of "Aura Sphere" from my drawer.
"A gift."
I had prepared it for Julian in advance. Julian's eyes widened.
"Aura Sphere... I heard people were making a fuss about it being out of stock?"
"I thought you weren't interested."
"People around me have been talking about it quite a bit."
Julian took it with a smirk.
"I'll enjoy reading it."
"Yes. Please give me a good review."
"I will."
Julian left the office. I thought about the upcoming event for a moment.
Crossing the Forest.
According to my memories from before my regression, nothing special happened during this year's event. However, the future had already been warped infinitely by my actions. I might have already become an assassination target for the Revolutionary Group.
"Hmm..."
From now on, people stronger than Dune Khan would steadily challenge the Empire. Strong individuals naturally hated control, and they harbored a pure hatred for the Empire.
I had made my own preparations.
I pulled a special syringe from the inner pocket of my knight's uniform.
An acute elixir that momentarily exploded and activated the body's mana, amplifying physical abilities like mana capacity, strength, and reflexes beyond their limits. It was commonly called a "Stimpak," but this was a special drug in syringe form, refined to a much higher concentration specifically for me.
Lorenzo recommended a minimum of six months between uses. Since it was custom-made with top-purity raw materials, it wouldn't leave permanent side effects, but the backlash required at least two months of intensive rehabilitation.
The price of this single syringe was a staggering one million dollars.
A small price to pay for one's life, I suppose.
...
Ertion Forest. A vast primeval forest that separated the Empire's center from the coast. Because the mana there was so thick and deep, various chaotic incidents occurred besides attacks from forest monsters. As a result, the amount of public power poured into this event was astronomical.
It was the definition of pure waste.
"Knight Maximilian?"
Before the event, someone called out to me. I froze the moment I saw his face.
It was Jun Kandel.
No way.
"...By any chance?"
At my wary question, Jun flashed a mocking smile.
"Congratulations on becoming the escort knight for the House of Kandel."
That son of a bitch.
For a moment, I almost grabbed him by the collar, but I held back.
There was no way Jun Kandel would actually run a marathon. He'd probably act tough for a day and then go home because he was bored.
He shrugged his shoulders.
"Well, it's not like I'm going personally. Neither of us wants to spend much time together in a place like this, right?"
Another person stepped out from behind him. It was Sonette Kandel.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Sir Maximilian."
"...Yes. A pleasure."
I glanced around. The Sentinel knights were struggling to hold back their laughter as they looked at me.
I could understand why. Kandel was a Great House. An ordinary knight would find them difficult to handle.
As a rookie, I had essentially been stuck with the short straw.
—Welcome, noble citizens of the Empire gathered here today. Soon, a long-standing tradition of the Empire will begin. The glorious moment when the Empire's founder crossed the Ertion Forest...
The nobles laughed refinedly as they conversed with their escort knights.
Sonette Kandel was quiet, and Jun was yawning.
—The winner of this year's event will receive a special prize personally bestowed by His Imperial Majesty, so please do your best!
The Imperial Guard fired a signal flare into the sky. Magical, multicolored fireworks bloomed across the firmament.
Soon, the nobles began running into the forest from their respective starting points.
"We'll go together until the halfway point. It'd look bad if I left right away."
"Yes."
Jun and Sonette ran into the forest, and I followed behind them for the time being.
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