The Awakened Staff
The moment we arrived at Novatech, I handed the staff to a researcher named Han Sungjin.
"This is the staff I got as a reward from the 9th floor, but I have no idea how to use it."
Sungjin, with a strange expression, nodded. "W-well, first off. I-it's been a while, Yu Eunha."
"Ah?"
I stared blankly at his face before clapping my hands. "Ah, the researcher from the rank exam! Seems like you're a trusted one here at Novatech since I keep seeing you."
"Ahaha, you r-remember me?"
"Of course I do, you see."
I grinned, and Sungjin covered his mouth. "A-anyway, this way please. We've cleared the artifact lab for you."
At the researcher's reaction, Monica whispered to me. "He was so grumpy last time, but his vibe's totally changed. Did he become your fan or something?"
I shook my head at her words. "Who'd be a fan of a 7-year-old mage who's not even a pro? Monica, your positive thinking is too strong."
"Hmm, doesn't seem like it though...."
The place we followed the researcher to was a small room with striking white walls.
"They're gonna do some precise testing or something, huh."
The researcher, now in the measurement room protected by thick glass, waved his hand.
We'll check the artifact's performance here with a simple test.
"I thought it'd be like tearing a scroll or appraisal magic...."
That's possible, but specs aren't precise that way.
Monica, now in the measurement room too, continued the researcher's words.
Yeah, and you don't even know how to use it right now.
"Ah, right."
Then, let's start the test!
The experiments in the artifact lab dragged on for quite a while.
Magic using limited ether. Combat in precise simulations. Tests for all sorts of temperatures and pressures.
After trying absolutely everything, everyone tilted their heads at the results.
"It boosts ether sensitivity exceptionally, sure, but...."
"The rest is pretty ordinary."
Unlike my nonchalant reaction, Sungjin looked flustered, his face beet red.
"C-can we use this ether sensitivity data and base material data at No, Novatech?"
Excited, he fiddled with his glasses while staring at the massive printout.
"The ether response is the highest among known materials. It's practically revolutionary."
Since Sungjin was engrossed in the data, I said flatly, "Even so, we still don't know how to use it properly."
Sungjin smiled awkwardly at my words. "Haha, sorry for getting excited."
He glanced at the staff, then scribbled on the corner of the data with a ballpoint pen.
"By the way, the Abyss voice said you could learn magic from this staff?"
Under the researcher Sungjin's gaze, I averted my eyes and nodded. "Y-yes, indeed. That's what I heard."
It was what the village chief old man told me, but no one would believe an abyssal entity, so I lied boldly.
"Hmm...."
Sungjin curiously examined the staff from all angles. "No buttons, no space for a battery. But it teaches magic...."
I subtly slid over a small notebook. "I've tried things like this, you see."
Sungjin scratched his head looking at the notebook. "Hmm, you've tried a lot of plausible stuff."
I stared at Sungjin steadily. "What would you do to protect it?"
"Pardon?"
"I'm guessing the creator's intent. If it had important data, wouldn't you handle it carefully?"
"Hmm, protection method. Usually, you set a password."
"That's too ordinary."
"We generate new random codes every week."
"Every week? Don't you get confused?"
Sungjin smiled awkwardly. "I actually write it down nearby."
"Write it down nearby...."
That reminded me of the statue holding the staff. Even though I hadn't tried to memorize it, the inscription below was crystal clear in my mind.
"Ah.... So that's it."
I grinned and said, "I think I know how to activate it."
"Pardon?"
"Suddenly, little one?"
I held the staff and chanted lowly.
"I am close to those who beseech"
"The response to those who earnestly yearn"
"Guide to all seekers"
⟨ Activation Chant ⟩
The moment the words ended, an ether gale swirled around us, and the staff trembled violently.
Chiiiik— Steam burst from between the staff, making Sungjin and Monica step back.
Clank— Mechanical gears shifted.
Soon, a 'beep' sounded, and ether stirred inside the staff.
Biometrics – Confirmed
Ether Waves – Confirmed
...Analyzing Signal
Communication Disconnected
Switching to Offline Mode.
"Ah, it turned on!"
When I held out the staff, a stiff mechanical voice rang out.
Code Name Polaris Beacon Activated
A red orb of light floated inside the hollow donut-shaped head of the staff.
"Did it activate?"
"Yeah, seems like it...."
"Yes, looks that way."
All three of us stared blankly at the light orb.
Staring like that is kinda embarrassing....
The sudden voice startled me and Monica.
"That's definitely the Abyss voice, right?"
"Sounds exactly the same to me...."
Of course. I'm one of the great Iolde's children. The Abyss system is just a knockoff based on me.
Monica clutched her forehead at the staff's words. "Am I dreaming...?"
She's got talent but a bit short on brains.
Monica clutched her chest and stepped back at the staff's sharp words. "This thing's saying the exact same stuff as my master!"
"Oh ho...."
As I gave her a meaningful look, Monica's face flushed. "That was when I was a teen! It's totally different now, little one?"
"Yeah, I believe you."
"...You left out 'you see,' little one. Y-you, I'm your master? Don't forget!"
"Oopsie."
I giggled and swung the staff once. "Anyway. Show me the true worth of you, who calls even the Abyss system a knockoff."
As I stared at the staff, its voice grew smaller. "W-well.... Communication's cut off right now, so I can't use my full power...."
The room went quiet, like cold water had been dumped.
"Hmm, got it. You're a big talker, huh."
The staff buzzed in protest.
Hey! It's real! For real!
"Sure, and I've got 2 million tons of gold at home."
Aargh! Not that! Hey! It's real! I'm seriously strong!
"Words are cheap. Fine, I get it."
I shook my head at Monica. "A staff from the 9th floor—how useful could it be? Total dud this time."
"Uh.... Yeah?"
Hey! Dud?! Wow, this staff scratches good? Wanna see the real deal?
Suddenly, ether surged toward the staff. Sparkling light orbs gathered atop it, and I hurriedly aimed at the wall.
Wooong— A black laser sliced vertically across the wall.
The wall melted where the laser passed.
That's 0.001% output. Hard to get this efficiency from peanuts-worth of ether, little one?
...Chantless magic? Or something similar.
I nodded at the quite useful ability. "Alright, you've got some tricks. More than that, you said you know ether capture magic. That's what I...."
Ma~gic~? Maaagic~?
The staff buzzed again.
You're learning that low-level trash skill?
"Low-level trash skill?!"
"......"
As Monica and I eyed the staff suspiciously, it floated up in front of me.
A guide should learn Secret Transmission Dynamics, not petty magic.
"Hmm...."
I glanced at Monica. She was clutching her forehead.
"Ah, looks like something new just came up."