[Magitech Journal: New Release -「Aura Sphere」Proposes a New Paradigm in Knight Techniques] 「Aura Sphere」has been officially published. Magical scholars praised it as 'a new application of defensive aura', but the knights of the Empire remained indifferent. From the start, they were a group inherently conservative toward change. However, a few showed interest upon learning that the author was Maximilian. Some mistook it for a highborn’s act of “pretending to be something”, and sought to criticize him. Others were simply curious. And Chiron, a knight of the Sentinels, wanted to find a point of connection with Maximilian...... "40,000 dollars." But the price was far more expensive than expected. Even the identity verification process was unnecessarily strict. "......40,000?" “Yes.” Chiron suppressed a sigh. Perhaps this is where a person’s character shows. The delusion that every technique he conceives is lofty, special, and extraordinary. But it couldn’t be helped. Ebenholtz had every reason to be that way, and inevitably so. Chiron instead chose to exploit that gap. Even if this「Aura Sphere」or whatever it is fails, if I study it and offer praise, even if empty, that too is politics. It could allow me to grow closer to Ebenholtz. “Is there a discount for knights?” "40,000 is after a 20% discount." “Tch.” Chiron bought the technique book and returned to his estate. He sat in his study and opened the book, only to find it even had mana security locks. “What the......” It was absurd, but he first injected mana and lifted the security. [To fully utilize this technique, a mana stone with a purity of 96% or higher is essential.] From the first page, it required a high-purity mana stone. A 96% one would roughly cost between 200,000 to 300,000, meaning the technique itself already costs at least 240,000. Chiron let out a hollow laugh and turned the page. ─── 1. Introduction Mana is both a powerful gift to humanity and a difficult tool to wield...... Knights of the Empire, through prolonged training and study, use aura that envelops the body, which has made them the masters of the battlefield. However, on the battlefield of the future, which we will inevitably face, an overwhelming firepower will arrive, something that today’s aura alone cannot withstand. (Omitted) ─── Chiron was a knight with an intense desire for self-improvement. He devoted all his spare time to self-development, be it politics, training, reading, or anything else. Among those, he excelled particularly in the handling of mana, in other words, in technique. It was, in fact, a trait of nouveau riche families. Because their swordsmanship, built over generations, lacked depth, they had no choice but to compensate with “mana”, which was widely available information. Such knights were called “technique-type knights”. In any case, Chiron was a rare expert in technique, even among knights. “......?” At first, he read without much thought, but before long, he found himself focused. Chiron delved into the mana formula of「Aura Sphere」Its excellence pierced through the subtle principles of mana, and though it didn’t quite shake laws and origins...... it was not at that level. At first glance, it looked like a convoluted and difficult mess of circuits, but it was, in fact, a technique imbued with refined logic. Countless mana formulas were combined neatly and elegantly. It was like a piece of art carved with a stylus. Thud. Chiron suddenly closed the book. Though he still had a long way to go before finishing, he went straight outside. He got in the car and drove through the now-evening streets until he arrived at a mana technique shop. “What? Sold out?” “Yes.” But they were already all sold out. “Who bought them?” “......Huh? The knights purchased them all.” “When’s the restock date?” "Uh...... we've been told it's undecided for now." "What does that mean?!" Chiron raised his voice without realizing it. “Uh...... I was told that the original author, the knight himself, personally controls the supply......” “.......” If it was Maximilian’s will, then there was nothing to say. “Contact me here immediately when restock arrives.” “Ah, yes.” Chiron left his terminal number and returned to the estate. He sat in his chair and quietly stared at the technique book. “Aura Sphere.......” He could feel the clear utility of the theory contained within. Not only would it be powerful on the battlefield, but it would also offer a great advantage in one-on-one combat. Chiron sensed a new trend. The “sphere aura” would definitely become a trend. It would gain popularity not only among knights but also among wizards who constantly worried about their own safety. ......And so, the next morning. Chiron arrived in front of Maximilian’s office. He leaned briefly against the wall, thinking about what to say. ‘Max.’ No, calling him Max right away would trigger rejection. ‘Maximilian... no, would it be alright if I called you Max?’ Phrase it like that to soften it. ‘I read the theory book「Aura Sphere」you released. I’m reading and learning from it as well. It’s excellent.’ Would Maximilian appreciate the compliment? ‘However, there’s one problem.’ If he were to ask, what kind of problem? ‘It’s already sold out. I’m sure other knights in the Order would also want to learn it. If possible...... could I purchase a few more copies?’ Chiron was not alone. He was the leader of a faction. Because he was aware of the shortcomings of his own background, he had all the more reason to look after those under his command. “Good.” With a nod, he finally opened the door to Maximilian’s office. “Max......?” It was completely empty. “Ah, right.” Maximilian’s office had recently been moved to the third floor. It was a kind of promotion. “......Ha.” Chiron let out a dry chuckle. Look at me. He seemed to have gotten nervous for no reason to be nervous. No matter how much of an Ebenholtz he is, Maximilian is a 21-year-old knight. There’s no need to treat him as such a superior. There’s a 13-year difference in knight seniority alone. “Hahaha.” He forced a casual laugh and climbed the stairs again. *** After the Brain-Eater incident, my office was upgraded. At the entrance, there was an admin area where two administrative officers worked, and down the inner hallway was my private office. It was smaller than the offices of senior knights, but it still had that “knight’s office” look and feel. I quite liked it. “Ah. You mean Aura Sphere?” Chiron was the first guest in my new office. It was because of the newly released「Aura Sphere」this week. “I heard the bookstore only received ten copies.” “Yes. I intentionally limited the supply to that amount.” The plan was to spread it by word of mouth, and adjust the supply based on demand. “Well, it was a technique well worth that.” “Thank you.” “But that said...... there’s a problem.” I smiled faintly. Chiron was someone quick to understand in many ways. “Do you perhaps need a few more copies of the technique book?” “......Would that be possible?” “Tell me first.” Chiron paused, as if mentally counting the people under his command. He probably had quite a few mouths to feed. Even if it were just fifteen people, that would be six hundred thousand dollars. My sense of money might be a bit broken, but six hundred thousand dollars would roughly be Chiron’s annual salary. Of course, if you include bonuses and various incentives, it might be more. “Right now, I think ten copies would be enough.” “Yes. I can give you about ten copies. Come back in about two weeks.” Chiron subtly bounced his leg beneath the chair. “Thanks. Hmm. If you ever need a favor in return, anytime-” “By the way, have you purchased the high-purity mana stone?” “No, not yet. Is there a specific brand?” “No. As long as the purity is above 96%, any will do.” I pulled out my personal mana stone from my coat. It was a cube-sized, palm-fitting mana stone of the highest purity, carved directly with “mana carving” by Lorenzo. With a purity of 99%, it emitted a blue glow on its own. “I use this personal mana stone.” “.......” Chiron’s face went blank as he stared at it. “Th-This is a mana stone?” “Yes. It’s inscribed with mana carving to amplify 「Aura Sphere」. Highest purity, top-tier quality.” “It’s beautiful. How much would something like this cost?” “Well, something of this caliber would probably be around 4 to 5 million dollars.” “4 million......?” “Yes. It’s an ultra-rare item, with only two or three produced per year at most. Even the tier just below, the premium grade, would cost at least two million dollars.” Chiron gazed at my mana stone cube with glimmering eyes. His pupils had turned blue, and even a flush had risen on his cheeks. “Then I’ll have my administrator deliver the ten copies within two weeks.” I retrieved the cube. Chiron looked regretful. “If you have questions about mana stones, feel free to contact me later. I run a workshop, actually.” If the effectiveness of 「Aura Sphere」 is proven, then even premium mana stones would sell easily at one to two million dollars apiece. Noble knights have plenty of money, after all. Even if I only sold to a hundred people, that’d be 100 to 200 million dollars. Not a bad business at all. “No. Rather than an inquiry, I’d like to make a purchase reservation right now.” Chiron pulled out a checkbook from his inner pocket and scribbled down two million dollars. “For premium grade.” Truly, he was a man with a generous hand. *** Just as I expected, not even two weeks passed before reactions to 「Aura Sphere」 began pouring in. The theory book had long since become a scarce commodity, and now word was spreading that knights across the Empire were actively searching for it. “Max. Escort mission.” Julian came by to deliver a new assignment. Escorting wasn’t exactly my specialty. “It’s that season already.” “That’s right.” There’s a certain noble event in the Empire, famous, yet utterly pointless. Nicknamed: “Crossing the Forest.” It’s a royal-sponsored event that involves traversing the Ertion Forest, which the founding ancestor of the Imperial bloodline supposedly crossed on foot during the Empire’s establishment. In truth, it’s a test of loyalty for nobles. Past emperors used to have nobles they disliked assassinated in that forest. These days, though, the event has been greatly watered down. Assassinations no longer happen, and it’s more like a marathon aimed at fostering camaraderie among Imperial nobles. “You’ll probably meet your escort target in the forest.” “Yes, understood.” Honestly, it’s frustrating for me. Even as the nation teeters on decline, they can’t bring themselves to abandon such traditions. This was why they were heading toward ruin. “Well, see you then.” “......Ah, Sir Julian.” I pulled out a copy of the theory book 「Aura Sphere」 from my drawer. “A gift.” I had already prepared one for Julian. His eyes widened. “Aura Sphere....... So the rumors of scarcity were true?” “I thought you weren’t interested.” “People around me won’t stop talking about it.” Julian accepted it with a slight chuckle. “I’ll read it well.” “Yes. I look forward to a good review.” “Of course.” Julian left the office. I took a moment to think about the upcoming event. Crossing the Forest. According to my memories before the regression, nothing special happened during this year’s event. But the future has already been thoroughly twisted by my actions. I might already be a target for assassination by the Revolutionary forces. “Hmm.......” From now on, people even stronger than Dun Caan will steadily rise to challenge the Empire. The powerful hate control by nature, and they genuinely despise the Empire. I’ve made preparations, of course. I took out a special syringe from the inner pocket of my knight uniform. An acute elixir that explosively activates the mana within the body, enhancing mana, muscle strength, reflexes, and overall physical capabilities far beyond their limits. It’s commonly referred to as a “stimpack” but this one is a special injectable drug, much more highly concentrated and custom-refined to suit me specifically. Lorenzo recommends at least a six-month interval between uses. It’s crafted from the highest-purity raw materials and leaves no permanent aftereffects, however, it does require a minimum of two months of intense rehabilitation due to the recoil. The price of a single syringe: a staggering one million dollars. But when it comes to staying alive, that’s a bargain. ....... Ertion Forest. A vast primeval forest that divides the center of the Empire from the coast. The mana there is so dense and deep that not only forest monsters but all sorts of disturbances occur frequently. The sheer amount of public authority poured into this event alone is astronomical. In other words, it’s pure waste. “Sir Maximilian?” Before the event, someone called out to me. The moment I saw that face, I froze. It was Jun Kandel. No way. “......Could it be?” At my wary question, Jun gave a sly smile. “Congratulations on becoming the Kandel family’s escort knight?” Fucking son of a bitch. For a moment, I almost grabbed him by the collar, but I held myself back. There’s no way Jun Kandel would bother running in a marathon. He’d probably strut around for a day, then get bored and go home. He shrugged. “Well, I’m not going myself. Neither of us wants to hang around in a place like this for too long, right?” From behind him, someone else walked forward. It was Sonnet Kandel. “Nice to meet you, Sir Maximilian.” “......Yes. Nice to meet you.” I glanced around. The Sentinels’ knights were stifling their laughter as they looked at me. I get it. Kandel is a great house. She’s not someone a regular knight could handle easily. As a first-year knight, I was basically given the worst possible assignment disguised as a regular one. ─Welcome, noble aristocrats of the Empire gathered here today. Soon, the age-old tradition of the Empire shall begin. The glorious journey our founding ancestor made across the Ertion Forest... The nobles exchanged words with their escort knights, smiling with elegance. Sonnet Kandel remained quiet, and Jun was yawning. ─This year, the winner will receive a special award directly from His Majesty the Emperor, so we ask that everyone gives their best effort! The Imperial Guard fired a signal flare into the sky. Fireworks in magical colors bloomed across the sky. Soon after, the nobles began dashing into the forest from their respective starting points. “Let’s go together at least halfway. It would look bad to leave right away." “Yes.” Jun and Sonnet ran into the forest, and I followed after them, for now.