Volume 3 Chapter 25 New Jersey
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
After we received a report about a naturally occurring gate, the U.S. military plane carrying me, Ms. Claudel, Sheena, and others landed near New Jersey’s capital. There, we met Mr. George for a final mission check. Dr. Mathius, along with Stanford and the research team, had already entered the site as the advance group.
”Anyway, since we don’t know when this gate might disappear, we need to work fast once we’re there. Got it, Claudel?”
Sheena teased, but Ms. Claudel’s face turned bright red.
”I understand. I need to store my mana before we enter, right? Fine, I’ll do it… but it’s really embarrassing!”
”Okay, okay. Sheena No. 6 has been slightly improved, so let’s try it out, alright?”
”You idiot, Sheena…”
Sheena No. 6 is a device that performs the Claudel-Sheena conversion, storing mana in Ms. Claudel’s body. We then transfer that mana into the exploration probe Stanford brought from the other world to determine the gate’s exit coordinates. According to Stanford, the exit point should be fixed. Once we know it, the three of us can use tags to return to that world.
However, the Claudel-Sheena conversion is tricky. It involves passing a weak electric current through Ms. Claudel, an Elf, in a specific way. She then converts the current into mana. Sheena designed Sheena No. 6 to efficiently apply the electrical pulses to her skin’s mucous membranes. The device looks like an adult toy and is pressed against areas like the mouth or private parts to deliver the stimulation. I can’t say more than that.
As Sheena said, since the gate can disappear at any time, it’s a race against time. The site is about 6 hours away by car, so after our meeting, we got into the military truck without much rest.
”Well then, Claudel. We’re alone in the cargo bed, so let’s start quickly!”
”You’re so noisy, Sheena. I’ll start even if you don’t tell me! Ah, darling, please cheer me on from nearby.”
”Of course. I won’t let Ms. Claudel suffer alone.”
When Ms. Claudel took out a peculiar device, about 30 centimeters long, from her bag and activated it, it began to vibrate gently. She slowly brought it to her mouth and started to use it. The situation felt awkward, but I knew it was important to support her. I stayed nearby, placed a hand on her shoulder, and offered quiet encouragement to help her feel at ease.
About an hour passed. Ms. Claudel seemed lost in her own world; her eyes were glassy, but she kept using Sheena No. 6. Beside her, Sheena monitored the mana generation based on Ms. Claudel’s vital signs.
”The progress is slower than expected. We might need more time before we can begin measurements…”
”Sheena, don’t push too hard. Rushing won’t help Ms. Claudel’s situation…”
”No, Yuuta. Even if you can’t directly assist her, there are other ways you can contribute!”
”What should I do?”
”Try soothing her in a way that helps her relax. If her overall tension eases, it might improve her condition…”
”Might… improve, huh?”
”There’s no time to hesitate. You need to do what you can!”
”…Alright. I understand. It’s probably the best I can do.”
”Don’t be so hard on yourself. Just focus and do it!”
Following the instructions, I placed my left hand on Ms. Claudel’s shoulder and moved it gently. She noticed but didn’t resist. Instead, she looked at me with a hopeful expression, set aside the device she’d been using, and said softly:
”Please help me feel more at ease…”
I took a deep breath and focused. I moved closer to Ms. Claudel, slipping my right hand inside her clothing to rest on her side. Her skin felt warm, and I could sense her tension. I slowly massaged the area, aiming to calm her. At the same time, I continued to soothe her shoulder with my left hand.
”Hmm… Thank you…”
Ms. Claudel’s body relaxed, her muscles easing as she exhaled deeply.
”Oh, Yuuta. You’re a tactician, huh? Mana generation has increased…”
Sheena, monitoring nearby, muttered excitedly.
* * *
Four hours passed since we left, and since everyone was aware of what Ms. Claudel and Sheena were working on in the cargo area, no one disturbed them. Ms. Claudel and I continued using the device, and Sheena finally announced we were nearing the desired result.
”Ms. Claudel, you’ve done well…”
”No, I want to keep going with you, darling~”
”Not now, Claudel. You need to conserve energy for the gate… But Yuuta, since you two were so focused, I feel like I need some attention too. We still have time before we arrive, so how about we take a moment?”
”Sheena, that’s not the same thing! And you just said to conserve energy, right? Who’s talking here?”
”Haha… Sorry. Once we’re back, I’ll make sure to spend more time with Yuuta as a celebration.”
Soon, the truck arrived at the destination, and Dr. Mathius welcomed us.
”Right on schedule. Claudel, how’s the mana?”
”Thanks to you… I think I can use small-scale magic.”
”Save your magic. Come here. The equipment is ready. The military has blocked off a 2-kilometer radius, so Sheena, you can work peacefully.”
As we entered the forest with Dr. Mathius, I saw it—a ring of light. But it looked distorted compared to the gate I’d seen before, and its glow seemed dull. Maybe because it’s naturally occurring. Stanford stood nearby, holding a Mana Probe.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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