Waking up from the bed, a dull throb pulsed through my head, signaling the onset of a headache. I sighed, knowing that this discomfort wouldn't fade quickly. I shuffled to the kitchen, where I prepared my soothing remedy: tea with honey. This combination had a knack for easing my stress and calming my mind.
As I waited for the tea to steep, I wondered about the origins of this comforting drink. I recall that honey tea has ancient roots. Historical records from China, Greece, and Egypt indicate that both honey and tea were consumed for their medicinal properties. The blend was celebrated for its soothing effects on the throat and its role in holistic healing practices.
"Informer, are you still here?" I asked, glancing at my AI assistant, who had become a constant presence in my life.
"Yes, I'm here," came the prompt response. "I have information about an update that occurred while I was installing knowledge into you."
"An update?" I asked, intrigued.
"Yes," the Informer continued. "The update allows you to either supercharge the Informer to gain specific knowledge or access multiple pieces of knowledge at once."
"What does supercharging involve?" I asked, eager to understand.
"To supercharge," the Informer explained, "you gain specific details that aren't usually available, including knowledge directly related to your interests. However, this process requires time and might need additional information from different sources for full comprehension."
"So, for instance, if I wanted to master the complexities of the human body and learn to repair it if damaged," I mused, "it would take approximately 18 months of supercharging."
"Yes," the Informer confirmed. "This would include advanced surgical techniques, understanding precise anatomical details, and managing pain medication. Mastery involves learning to fix complex injuries, like fractures, and would require in-depth knowledge to avoid severe mistakes."
"That sounds like a significant commitment," I remarked. "But it could be worth it for learning healing magecraft."
"Indeed," the Informer agreed. "It might be better to wait and see how the knowledge develops."
"Thanks for the update, Informer," I said, feeling both anticipation and patience.
With the morning slipping by, I glanced at the clock and realized it was time to head to work. After finishing my coffee, I took a quick shower, dressed in my work clothes, and set off. My construction job wasn't far from where I lived, which was convenient.
I was still thrilled about the prospect of buying a house. Using magecraft, I subtly influenced the opinions of the estate builders, convincing them to label a decent house as undesirable. This allowed me to purchase it at a significantly reduced price. With a month's salary, overtime, and funds from Alaya, I managed to buy the house and furnish it modestly.
Walking around the house, I felt a deep sense of satisfaction. I had a place to call my own, food on the table, and a stable job. Now, all I needed was to find my wife to fulfill the mission my father had given me.
"Just kidding," I chuckled to myself.
At work, after a productive four hours with a short break, my boss approached me with a serious expression.
"Hi," he greeted.
"Hi," I responded.
"I need to talk to you in private," he said, leading me to his office.
"Sure," I replied, following him.
Once seated, he began, "You've been with us for about a month, and your performance has put us ahead of schedule. I appreciate that."
"Thank you," I said, feeling pleased.
"But that's not the only reason I called you here," he continued. "I have two things to discuss. First, I want to offer you a full-time position."
"Okay," I acknowledged.
"Secondly," he went on, "you mentioned you could teach English, correct?"
"Yes," I confirmed. "I finished high school English, so I can teach up to 10th grade."
"Given the recent fire incident, many jobs, including teaching positions, are unfilled," he explained. "I've been informed about a program that supports college students pursuing teaching careers by covering some costs until they earn a Bachelor's degree. There's also an accelerated program available."
He handed me a letter detailing the support and accelerated program options. I read through it slowly, as I was still getting used to reading Japanese.
"Can I still work here while finishing college?" I asked.
"Yes, you can," he assured me. "You'll be a full-time employee until you secure a new job. Keep up the good work."
"Thank you, sir," I said, leaving the office with a smile on my face.
TIME SKIP: TWO YEARS, AUGUST 4, 1996
Reflecting on the past two years, I felt a profound sense of satisfaction. The journey had been rewarding, with many milestones and accomplishments.
The first seven months after discussing college with my boss had been eventful. I passed my entrance exam, though not with a top score. I completed my first year and started my second year, where I encountered Fugimaru, who was aiming for the same major and also wanted to be an English teacher. Her proficiency in English was impressive, a result of Kiritsugu Emiya's teachings, as he moved around for his missionary work.
During this period, I also completed my workshop, transforming it into a formidable fortress. I crafted a bounded field designed to prevent unauthorized entry, employing illusions that made intruders perceive they were going in circles or even simulated their death if they persisted. For mages, the field's illusions were more straightforward to bypass, so I added additional defenses: Mage Scare, Mage Knockout, and Mage Killer.
Mage Scare: This defense neutralizes magecraft by controlling the mana around the area, making it impossible for mages to use their abilities. Magecraft relies on mana, and by controlling it, I rendered their powers ineffective.
Mage Knockout: Should a mage bypass Mage Scare, any remaining mana is drained, leaving them unconscious. This secondary line of defense ensures that any mage who manages to enter the house will be incapacitated.
Mage Killer: The final line of defense, designed in collaboration with Kiritsugu Emiya, is equipped with a range of weapons, traps, and sensors. This includes lasers, heat sensors, guns, and rune-made traps that either restrict movement or induce unconsciousness. To activate this trap, one must be near the core of the bounded field, which is marked by a picture of a family surrounded by protective and mystical runes.
The workshop's mana-rich environment, powered by both magic and solar energy, ensured that most spells were enhanced. I even crafted an automaton modeled after Melania, Blade of Miquella from Elden Ring. This creation, standing 7.5 feet tall and equipped with a replica sword, had anatomically correct gears and utilized surrounding mana for power.
The project involved blending rune magic and advanced magecraft, with guidance from an expert who had lived in the world of magic for decades. The result was a portable bounded field akin to a reality marble, though not complete, called "Simple Kitchen."
Reflecting on these achievements, I marveled at the progress made, the friendships forged, and the new skills acquired. I had even taught Shirou Emiya some rune spells, enhancing his abilities. Lastly, I found a teaching job at Shirou's future school, a rewarding yet challenging experience with the students.
The journey had been filled with growth, challenges, and triumphs, setting the stage for whatever came next.