Mr. Magical Girl

Chapter: 161. Dancing with Machines (1)

“Lend me the reality stabilizer, Librarian!”

I burst through the door blocking my view, making a bang!

Maybe I was too excited. I heard an ominous creaking from the hinges, but it shouldn’t be a big problem.

No matter what happened to the door, I entered the room with a lively heart. What awaited me was the chilly glare of my friend, dressed neatly in a lab coat, and the silence dominating the room.

How long had we been staring at each other in that stillness?

I could’ve sworn there was a sign on the door that said ‘No Entry.’

The Librarian finally spoke up, “Doesn’t it not matter since I’m related to this?”

I replied, “It wasn’t just for those related; it meant no one should enter… but…”

A sigh escaped the Librarian. His last sigh tinged with a rough metallic sound.

“What’s going on? Is your lung a machine now?” It hadn’t been long since I last saw him; had he been consumed again?

As I thought that, I plopped down on a machine box scattered around the lab.

Even though the Librarian’s tone was negative, he didn’t chase me out, so it must not have meant to kick me out just yet.

The chair didn’t have a backrest, which wasn’t to my liking, but the warmth creeping up from beneath was quite a nice feeling.

“I don’t recommend sitting there, you know.”

“Why? What’s wrong with it?”

It just looked like a plain metal box; what could be the problem?

“It’s a core fragment of Colossus. Researching it is a—”

Whoops!

I jumped up quickly, surprised by the Librarian’s response, but an icy chill washed over me.

“No… Colossus? Did you get permission?”

Surely he wasn’t doing something secretive like I would.

If by some chance, Colossus revived and the Association stopped its operations, it would lead to a catastrophe.

“Of course, I got permission. I’m not out here recklessly charging ahead like some people.”

“Well, that’s good.”

The Association must have taken preventative measures. Dangerous experiments were nothing new, and I couldn’t afford to focus on such trivial things if I wanted to live.

But who’s being reckless? The moron experimenting with 0-Rank Monsters, perhaps?

Thinking that, I searched for a new place to sit.

“By the way, why the sudden focus on Colossus? Are you researching something?”

To be honest, I wasn’t that curious, and I probably wouldn’t understand anything that came out of it anyway.

But isn’t conversation supposed to be a back-and-forth catch?

To maintain a friendship, it’s a necessary act.

“Oh… Let me explain it simply… You know the concept of the soul established by Calavera? While we acknowledge that such a thing clearly exists, applying it to machines is a bit beyond understanding, so we’re using a monster that embodies such concepts as a comparison…”

I sat down on a pipe chair, tuning out the Librarian’s chatter.

Clunk-clunk! So, can that soul really be refined, and what physical effects would come about…

Ouch! This chair’s not exactly comfortable. I should try that fancy-looking one in the mess of this lab.

With a shiny bone frame and made of black mesh, it certainly looked expensive.

Given that there was a table in front of it, it seemed to belong to the Librarian, but that hardly mattered.

As I leaned back, I felt the surprisingly bouncy mesh wrap around me.

A gentle breeze flowed in, so it wasn’t suffocating.

It wasn’t super soft, but it had just the right amount of resistance holding me in place.

It might not be the comfiest for relaxation, but it wouldn’t be terrible for long hours of focused work.

Hmm… How much would this cost…

Hmm… The goal is to mass-produce soldier-like beings based on AI… Are you listening?

“Oh? Uh. Yeah, I’m listening. So, you’re researching that to create mass-produced soldiers?”

I thought I heard something earlier, but the important part must be the later half.

Hmm… It feels like you’re just repeating my last word… But that’s the gist of it.

I was relieved to let it slide.

When it comes to research specialists, they often spill their guts when it comes to anything related to their work.

Had I chosen the wrong answer, I’d have to hear some nonsense about who knows what.

By the way, this chair isn’t half bad.

Leaning back into the chair, I glanced at the bulb shining down.

…Didn’t you say something to me when you came in?

Oh, right! That’s why I’m here.

Lost in the science lecture that lured me into a dreamlike state, I had temporarily sent my mind off somewhere else.

“Can you lend me a reality stabilizer? I really need it.”

I returned the backrest to its original position and made my request with a hint of humility in my voice.

I had entered so confidently earlier, but reality stabilizers aren’t just cheap items, are they?

…There are plenty scattered around this lab… But depending on efficiency and usage, saying ‘just take whatever’ wouldn’t work.

Of course, I had previously spoken to the octopus about that.

But since I couldn’t remember the alien language, I just scribbled things down elsewhere.

“Just wait a moment.”

I hurriedly spoke to stop the Librarian’s scientific song of dreams, opening my notes on my phone.

Let’s see… How was I supposed to read this?

Output 1.5mN effective range… 0.3Tac max duration 93… What the heck does this even mean? Worm?

(…Is this… a single character?

I handed it over to the octopus, and it ended up inputting something that I can’t even read.

Not to mention, how did I even input this on my phone?

“Worm… That’s likely Zeta. Home. If the specs are around that level…”

I debated whether to show my phone or not. It seemed the Librarian understood my strange explanation despite the potential quirks amidst these science-obsessed freaks.

However, lost in thought, the Librarian started the cooler humming somewhere on his body.

“Why? Is it hard to lend?”

I asked, but the Librarian kept his lips sealed, letting the cooler sound and the gears grind louder.

Well, it looks like I have to wait.

Once he’s wrapped up in those thoughts, I could say anything, and he wouldn’t react.

About five minutes passed in silence.

“May I ask one question?”

The Librarian finally opened his mouth.

“Go ahead.”

“Before I ask, are you aware of the power level of the reality stabilizer you mentioned?”

“Of course, I don’t know.”

What in the world are Tac and whatnot anyway?

“I see. Then let me enlighten you. That level of stabilizer would have half the power of what’s embedded at our Association’s branch.”

…Huh? What did you just say?

Half of what’s embedded at the branch…?

Seeing my jaw drop, the Librarian pointed out, “You clearly didn’t know and just asked to borrow something.”

I couldn’t close my gaping mouth.

It was such an unexpected statement, and I was way too baffled.

Did the octopus really ask me to borrow something like that?

Aren’t those just left in the Association?

Wasn’t it just containers all piled up in there?

You mean to tell me I can just carry that around?

…Then here’s a question.

“Uh, yeah. Ask away.”

My head was spinning, so I might not give a coherent answer.

“What do you plan to use it for?”

“Ah? I was thinking about visiting the Otherworld for a bit.”

As soon as I answered reflexively, squeal!

I heard the sound of something twisting.

Like a machine that abruptly halted or someone stomping on the brakes.

…It’s not what I had in mind.

The source of that sound, producing a rough metallic voice, opened his mouth again.

“If it was a mission, the Association would have supported you long ago. More importantly, are you okay?”

Smoke was puffing out from his clothes?

“I’m fine. More importantly…”

Zing!

The friction noise that echoed just moments ago in the room ceased, and like a fitting that clicked into place, the cooler sound started again.

“Let’s go back to my earlier point, but I have a second question. Why do you want to enter the Otherworld?”

The Librarian hesitated as he began this question.

Likely recalling some trauma from the experience of being sent to the Otherworld as part of an expedition.

Thus, I remained silent, giving my old friend time to regain his composure.

When his breath returned, I waited.

“Information.”

I quietly uttered a single word.

“Information, you say?”

“Yeah. Information. The kind we constantly lack, to analyze this twisted world.”

“Does that mean you have a solid reason to go back in there?”

I knew.

It isn’t a horrifying place.

It isn’t a painful place.

It’s merely one thing.

An experience that makes me doubt that I’m still me.

Senses fade away.

Time shifts.

Memories transform.

Humans change.

Surroundings morph.

Then, who can prove that I am me?

Yet still…

“It’s worth going. You know that, right?”

“I’m not so sure.”

Such a pity.

“To gain a single answer, all knowledge must be pursued. Isn’t that how scientists are?”

Of course, I was different from them.

While information for them was the end itself, for me, it was merely a means to reach an end.

However, both sides would need each other, wouldn’t they?

…There’s some logic to it. Moreover, if it’s information for humanity, then it’s even more valid.

Was the Librarian accepting my reasoning when the metallic edge and sharpness melted away from his voice, replaced by a warm human tone?

Well, this seems to have wrapped up nicely.

If there’s a problem…

“Setting that aside, does that mean you still can’t get that reality stabilizer? No matter how small you make it, it won’t function?”

“Actually, the one embedded in the Association…”

“That was constructed using older technology. That’s why it’s packed with safety mechanisms and overload inhibitors.”

The Librarian suddenly became cheerful, beginning to ramble on with a grand speech.

“If we’re going into the Otherworld anyway, we can strip away all unnecessary safety measures, apply some new technology, and just figure out a way to handle the energy source…”

While the Librarian was buzzing on, another thought filled my mind.

So, will it work or not?

How was it that I narrowly escaped his scientific flow earlier, yet here I was caught for round two?

In short, the main takeaway is that everything else could be solved. Safety would take a slight hit, but if it’s you, Haram, I’m sure you’ll manage. The real problem lies with the energy source.”

Once the Librarian wrapped up his lengthy science narrative, he shot a sharp look at me.

“Hmmm… this seems to be a good time.

I wonder what he’s rambling about.

Just as I thought the conversation had concluded, he began to mutter to himself.

“Haram, would you fulfill my request? If successful, I will create a reality stabilizer for you.”

It was a self-talk that became a question directed at me.

“What is it? I should know that first.”

I’d typically be inclined to agree, but he is my friend, after all.

“Yes, it’s a simple request.”

The Librarian kept me in suspense.

“Will you join me in the conclusion of my story? If anything goes awry, please shatter me.”

He entrusted his life to me.

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