Kays Translations

Chapter 69: Scrolls

This is a rule that applies to most languages: the same content can be written using vocabulary of varying levels of difficulty.

In other words, most texts can be written using either complex or simple words.

The same is true for magic language. When transcribing incantations into writing, the difference in complexity becomes immediately apparent.

For example, incantations derived from vampire magic use highly complex expressions in magical language.

They contain a large number of characters and a wide variety of symbols. Additionally, all the rhetorical marks are placed above the baseline, indicating refined and noble speech. The way these marks are used is highly advanced—even with the American magical text references I currently have, I can’t explain some of their applications.

Vampire self-enhancement magic does have the drawback of causing anemia, but it requires only 1K of mana to cast, making it incredibly cost-efficient for its effects. This makes it a highly favored spell among the Tokyo Witch Assembly.

For years, there have been attempts to modify the incantation to bypass its unpronounceable sounds and make it accessible to ordinary people.

However, Professor Ohinata (Father) lost several members of his research team in failed experiments trying to chant this self-enhancement spell. Even with the research efficiency improvements provided by Professor Ohinata (Daughter) and her fractal-structured magic staff, Aleister, an alternative chant has yet to be achieved.

Upon transcribing the self-enhancement spell, the reason for its modification difficulty became clear. The original wording is already highly complex, meaning that even minor alterations easily render the text nonsensical.

On the other hand, incantations derived from the Witch of RekindlingFlames use much simpler expressions in magic language.

These incantations use fewer characters and symbols, and all rhetorical marks are placed below the baseline, giving them a lighthearted, almost childlike tone. The use of rhetorical marks is simple and can be easily explained using my American magic text references.

When spoken aloud, the incantations have a rhythmic cadence, making them feel like magic words designed to be spoken out loud.

If vampire magic is like a legal code, then rekindling flame magic is like a children’s picture book.

That’s how stark the difference in complexity is.

Based on the Anonymous Epic Hypothesis, incantations quoted from the epic’s narration maintain a neutral tone—neither refined nor vulgar.

However, incantations seemingly derived from the dialogue of epic characters vary greatly in tone, depending on the personality of the original speaker.

This could be a key hint in unraveling the mysteries of the Anonymous Epic.

Regardless, for a beginner studying the grammar of written magical language, the Witch of Inherited Flames’ spells are an excellent learning resource. Their simple, picture-book-like wording makes their structure easy to understand and modify.

About a month after carving the Spider Witch’s decoy sculpture, I had gained proficiency in the basics of magic script. Eventually, I succeeded in modifying the core incantation of the rekindling flames spell: “O Flame, Jin-Ga.”

I removed both of its original rhetorical marks and added two new ones in their place.

In theory, this modification should make the spell “hold back”, causing it to activate more slowly.

After completing the textual modification, the next step was transcription.

I used fire lizard-melted magical alloy to inscribe the text onto a clay tablet. Once the glowing-hot metal cooled and solidified, everything was set.

Written magic language always includes a symbol indicating the start of a text. If I touched this symbol with my magic staff’s core and chanted, the spell should activate according to the written magic. (Witches and magicians can cast spells simply by chanting.)

“O Flame, Jin-Ga.”

When I spoke the incantation while placing the clay tablet in the backyard, the text glowed and emitted a controlled flame, similar to a portable gas stove.

By my rough estimate, the red flame burned for about 12–13 minutes before going out.

Since it burned over an extended period, the modified spell had weaker flames than the original. It was like a slow and steady simmer.

Hmm. Yeah, this seems about right.

It could be useful for cooking. The ability to toggle between the original spell’s high heat and the modified low heat is a surprisingly significant improvement. I personally don’t need it since I can just ask the fire lizards to adjust the heat, but small refinements like this contribute to a better way of life.

My first practical application of magic script was a success, with no accidents—proof that taking my time to build a strong foundation paid off.

Now begins the applied phase.

It’s time to experiment with the magic script ideas I’ve been stockpiling.

Of course, my studies will continue, but I’ve reached a point where I can start small experiments with written magic.

What I want to recreate is the “Scroll”—a concept not documented in any of the American references.

In fantasy RPGs and TRPGs, scrolls are consumable magic items.

They contain written spells that can be cast once before disappearing.

There already exists technology to store and delay the activation of spells, as seen in the dodecahedral fractal magic staff.

However, once a spell is stored in a dodecahedral fractal, its power is significantly weakened—by default, it loses 99% of its potency. Even with some tweaks, the best I could achieve was one-tenth of the original power.

That’s an absurdly inefficient system.

This is where magic script comes in.

By combining magical script, demon-clamping tools, and the American-derived “Living Text” familiar magic, I theorize that scrolls can be created that store magic without losing potency.

The Living Text spell is essentially the American equivalent of an Eyeball Familiar.

When cast, it accumulates black magic ink on the fingertips, which can be used to write on anything—paper, soil, even midair. Whether text or illustrations, anything can be drawn.

Once the ink is used up, the written content comes to life and starts moving with its own will.

In America, this spell is often used as a magic carrier pigeon.

It costs 4K mana, making it an accessible but not trivial spell.

Unlike Eyeball Familiars, Living Text does not Consume max mana, Persist indefinitely (it disappears over time), Withstand damage well, Have long-range capability, Fly, Provide a telecommunication function. 

Its many limitations make it a lightweight, cost-effective spell.

I plan to take advantage of its low cost to manufacture scrolls.

The “Monster Scissors” can reference the size and magic power of a captured being to apply a time delay.

It is less effective against large beings or those with immense magic power.

Conversely, it works exceptionally well on small entities with little magic.

The eyeball familiars are considered living creatures in magical terms, so they react to the Monster Scissors.

Likewise, “Living Letters” also respond to the Monster Scissors.

And since Living Letters exist on a flat surface, are small, and possess only weak magical power, the Monster Scissors’ effect is maximized.

First, I draw a magic circle with magic script.

Then, I enclose the magic circle with the Monster Scissors.

I charge the Monster Scissors with magic power, setting them into standby mode.

Next, I activate the magical script so that the magic enters a looping activation state, then insert the Living Letters into the Monster Scissors’ area, triggering the time delay.

This way, the magic’s looping activation will slow down to the point of being nearly frozen—effectively storing the magic.

Then, at the desired moment of activation, I simply break the Monster Scissors’ ring, releasing the time delay and triggering the magic.

In theory, it should work.

With the help of the Spider Witch, I set to work crafting the scrolls.

For the Monster Scissors’ materials, I used leftover magic staff fragments that had been made after the Aratake Group incident.

I shaved them down to hair-thin strands and embedded them into steel-sheep parchment, forming a circle.

Inside this Monster Scissors ring, I inscribed the magic circle for “Flame, Jin-Ga” using magic alloy.

Finally, with the Spider Witch charging the Monster Scissors with magic energy and casting the Living Letters spell, the preparation was complete.

By the way, embedding the mechanism into parchment served no practical purpose—it just looked cool.

When I chanted the fire magic, the magic circle responded, and the letters glowed.

Then, I immediately introduced the Living Letters into the circle, and as expected, they froze in place.

The glow of the magic circle, too, stopped mid-flow along the ring.

With the freeze successful, next came the release test.

I slightly shifted the outer circle of the double-ring structure, breaking the Monster Scissors ring.

At that moment, time resumed, and flames erupted.

Good, good. Success. Nothing feels better than seeing a creation function exactly as planned.

The concept of scrolls had now been successfully demonstrated.

As long as the Monster Scissors structure surrounding the magic circle is maintained, the technique should work on various objects, not just parchment.

However, the time delay effect of the Monster Scissors has a limit.

If the effect expires, the magic will trigger automatically, meaning that scrolls have an unavoidable expiration date.

There’s still room for improvement.

As I examined my first prototype scroll, the Spider Witch, who had been assisting with the experiment, spoke with a hint of awe.

“Is new technology really made this easily? Or is Dairi just special…?”

“Well, I mean, I am a genius. But this time, it’s just a combination of existing techniques. Even if I hadn’t figured it out, someone else would’ve eventually.”

In reality, what I did wasn’t all that difficult.

The Monster Scissors part was the most complex, but if someone sacrificed precision and increased the size, even an average craftsman could replicate it.

That said, being the first to make it is what matters.

Even if someone else would have discovered it sooner or later, being the first to do so has value.

Moreover, if the scroll technique can be miniaturized, it could be embedded into staves.

Heh… Staff crafting and miniaturization are my specialties. Yet another amazing function for my staffs.

“Do you want me to upgrade your staff with this, Spider Witch? Or do you not like people modifying it?”

“No, I don’t mind at all. But… hmm… Dairi, if you’re going to install this into a staff, I think a defensive spell would be better. More than attack magic, having instant defense activation would be more useful. It would seriously reduce casualties…”

“Oh, really?”

“Yeah. The Aratake Group’s witch used an insanely tough defense spell. If that could be instant-cast, it’d be super convenient, and everyone would love it. I think the university was trying to recreate the chant… I’ll check, though, since I don’t remember exactly.”

Hmm.

I don’t fully grasp the nuances of combat, but if the Spider Witch says so, she’s probably right.

Yeah, if an enemy fired an instant-kill spell and you could immediately throw up a shield, that’d be a lifesaver.

It might even be useful in the upcoming Demon King battle.

Once I refine this technique a little more, I might consider sending both the prototype and blueprints to America.

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