In the stillness of the night, two figures cast dark shadows upon the high wall enclosing a solid waste management site on the outskirt. Despite the imposing walls meant to conceal the unsightly aspects of waste disposal, security measures were minimal as no one anticipated intruders in such a place devoid of valuables.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Bahyun inquired, studying Almandine’s expression closely.
Perched atop the wall, their clothes rustled softly in the breeze, the sound mingling with the night’s whispers. Almandine’s braided hair, aglow with an almost magical sheen, danced gracefully in the wind, framing her like a character from a comic or anime girls, with hair thick enough to drape around her neck like a shawl. Bahyun, mindful of the waste’s odors, hadn’t planned to bring her along, but she insisted on witnessing his test.
“I’m fine, don’t worry about me.” Almandine assured him, her gaze fixed upon Bahyun’s face, her eyes sparkling with an indiscernible emotion.
Sighing, Bahyun reached out to pat her head gently, “Well, if you start feeling uncomfortable, just let me know, and we’ll leave immediately. Promise?”
Almandine nodded.
Bahyun sighed once more before leaping down from the wall, landing on a spot he cleared with a blast of fireball and cleansing magic. Though it didn’t alleviate the discomfort entirely, it made the area somewhat more tolerable. Almandine gracefully descended beside him, unaffected by the filth below. Unlike Bahyun, who relied on spells and magic for such feats, Almandine’s every movement was inherently magic, a product of her being. He had struggled to teach her to temper her strength to appear more human in front of others, but it was a challenge, as it was ingrained in her as part of her default programming.
Even her landing showcased her default setting, effortlessly repelling dirt, dust and disgusting water in a two-meter radius. This was a programmed behavior, and Bahyun couldn’t fathom why her master had included such details. He could only guess it was an emulation of flawless Mage performance in battles.
Observing her, Bahyun couldn’t help but worry if these subconscious magical actions would have any adverse effects on her. However, her innocent expression showed no understanding of his concern.
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With a quick check to ensure she was fine, Bahyun focused his attention on the vast piles of garbage stretching out like a mountainous train.
Bahyun noticed the solid waste management process in this world, finding it similar to what he remembered from his previous world. Non-recyclable items or items not worth doing so were either buried underground or incinerated in furnaces. However, there was an additional layer of complexity in this world due to the existence of magical waste, originating from discarded mana-tech devices. This was precisely why Bahyun had chosen to explore this facility - to see if he could utilize the dark energy stored in the batteries.
If successful, his experiments could potentially lead to groundbreaking discoveries in mana-tech and waste management… And thus, it might increase the chances of pleading for Almandine’s survival if she were ever discovered by the authorities.
Bahyun’s theory was straightforward: if dark energy represented decay and destruction, as oppose to light energy which represents flourish, growth and everything nice, then applying it to garbage awaiting processing might accelerate decomposition, offering a solution to the world’s waste problem.
To test his theory, he fashioned a rod, resembling a simplified wand, to channel dark energy from the batteries. The setup resembled an antiquated radio with an extended antenna connected by a long coiled wire.
With bated breath, Bahyun activated the wand, wielding it like a conductor’s baton as he drew a rune in the air before him. This rune, typically activated by mana infused with fire or earth elements, was designed for dissolution. Yet, Bahyun had never tested its efficacy when powered by dark energy. Starting cautiously, he etched a small and simple rune, his anticipation palpable as he awaited the outcome with wide opened eyes.
The tiny rune descended upon the garbage pile, and to Bahyun’s astonishment, the mound – roughly the size of a garbage bin - dissolved instantaneously. In its wake remained remnants that hinted at potential reusable material extraction.
With meticulous attention, Bahyun scrutinized the wand and the effect of the rune, all the while ensuring Almandine remained unharmed by the dark energy’s influence. Encouraged by the success of his initial trial, he proceeded to draw a larger and more intricate rune, infusing it with a higher dosage of dark energy. This time, an even larger pile of garbage disintegrated before his eyes, leaving behind no trance of dark residue. It was a resounding success!
“Ha, hahaha! Almandine! It worked! It worked!” Bahyun shouted and cried out happily while lifting Almandine up for a celebratory spin. She felt his joy but couldn’t comprehend why.
Well, he’s happy, and that’s good. Slowly, the corner of her lips curled upward, just slightly, as he continued to mutter excitedly about his future tests and plans for disposing of the batteries and utilizing the dark energy.